Monday, September 16, 2013
EuroBasket: Ukraine a step closer to 2014 FIBA World Cup (VIDEO)
Ukraine are a step closer to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup after sealing a spot in the Quarter-Finals of EuroBasket 2013.
Mike Fratello's team, which put in a stirring performance to defeat Serbia on Friday, reached the last eight of the competition when Belgium upset Latvia, 60-56, in Sunday's first Group E game.
UKRAINE vs LITHUANIA Game Highlights Video.
Ukraine then fought Lithuania in a terrific encounter before falling, 70-63. The biggest smiles of all were on the faces of the Ukrainian players, coaches, officials and fans.
If Ukraine win their Quarter-Final, they will seal a place in next year's big event in Spain. They will also qualify if they finish in the top six - top seven if Spain are in the first six.
DUNK OF THE GAME: UKRAINE vs LITHUANIA
Oleksandr Volkov, the legendary player from Ukraine who turned out for the former Soviet Union and is now the president of the country's basketball federation, was ecstatic about the qualification and the chance to now play for a spot in the World Cup.
Ukraine won four of their first five games in Slovenia, starting with a thrilling 58-57 win over Belgium, before finishing runners-up to France in Group A.
The squad had a nightmare start in the Second Round, crashing to an 85-51 defeat in Group E to Latvia, a result that put their progression to the next phase in jeopardy. They bounced back with an 82-75 triumph over Serbia.
When the Ukrainians woke up on Sunday morning, they believed a victory over Lithuania would be needed to advance in the tournament but Belgium did them a huge favor by surprising Latvia.
UKRAINE vs LITHUANIA GAME HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO
BELGIUM vs LATVIA Game Highlights.
In Belgium's win over the Latvians 60-56, Sacha Massot poured in 14 points, Wen Mukubu 13 and Axel Hervelle 10. Belgium had no chance of reaching the last eight on Sunday.
BELGIUM vs LATVIA GAME HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO
SERBIA vs FRANCE.
In Serbia's triumph over France, the victors went on a key run at the end of the first half that put them in control to stay. (watch Serbia vs France full game highlights video here)
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