In a recent World Cup qualifying match held in Riga, the Ukrainian men's basketball team, under the guidance of coach Ainars Bagatskis, faced a disappointing defeat against Spain, with a final score of 66 to 86. Despite leading for most of the first half, Ukraine could not maintain their momentum, which eventually led to the loss as Spain outscored them in crucial moments, particularly in the third quarter, where they scored 33 points against Ukraine's 14.

Oleksandr Kovlyars was the standout player for Ukraine, contributing 15 points to the team's effort. Spain's Alvaro Kardenass and Ferrans Basas each scored 16 points, highlighting Spain's offensive strength. This match is part of a competitive Group A, where Spain remains undefeated with three wins out of three matches, while Ukraine has won two out of three, placing them in a respectable position alongside Denmark and Georgia, who are struggling at the bottom of the group.

Looking ahead, the qualification phase has been pivotal for Ukraine, who previously secured victories over Denmark and Georgia with scores of 88-71 and 92-79 respectively. The importance of these matches cannot be understated as they pave the way for Ukraine's participation in the World Cup finals scheduled in Qatar from August 27 to September 12, 2027. This match showcases the competitive nature of the qualifiers and underscores Spain's dominance in international basketball, raising questions about Ukraine's strategy moving forward in the remaining qualifiers.