{"id":20435,"date":"2026-08-28T20:29:04","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T20:29:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/28\/greece-falls-to-ukraine-82-76-in-riga-leaving-world-cup-qualification-hopes-hanging-by-a-thread-greek-city-times\/"},"modified":"2026-08-28T20:29:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T20:29:04","slug":"greece-falls-to-ukraine-82-76-in-riga-leaving-world-cup-qualification-hopes-hanging-by-a-thread-greek-city-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/28\/greece-falls-to-ukraine-82-76-in-riga-leaving-world-cup-qualification-hopes-hanging-by-a-thread-greek-city-times\/","title":{"rendered":"Greece Falls to Ukraine 82-76 in Riga, Leaving World Cup Qualification Hopes Hanging by a Thread \u2013 Greek City Times"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Greece suffered a damaging 82-76 defeat to Ukraine in Riga on Friday, recording its third consecutive loss in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers and leaving its qualification hopes in serious jeopardy.<\/h3>\n

The result drops Greece to 3-4 in Group 9, while Ukraine improves to 5-2. With five games remaining in the current phase, Greece now needs to win its remaining matches while also relying on favorable results elsewhere to keep its qualification campaign alive.<\/p>\n

Ukraine controlled much of the game and made Greece pay from the perimeter, particularly after halftime. The Ukrainians finished with 13 three pointers from 33 attempts, while Greece struggled at 9 of 32 from beyond the arc.<\/p>\n

Greece also committed 14 fouls and went 17 of 24 from the free throw line, but ultimately lost its composure at crucial moments.<\/p>\n

Nick Calathes led Greece with 17 points, eight assists, three rebounds and two steals. Tyler Dorsey added 16 points, while Dinos Mitoglou finished with 13.<\/p>\n

For Ukraine, Oleksandr Kovlyar was the leading scorer with 18 points, followed by Maxim Shulga with 14 and Andriy Voinalovich with 11. Ukraine also managed to limit the impact of Svi Mykhailiuk, who scored 13 points but shot just 3 of 17 from the field, including 1 of 9 from three point range.<\/p>\n

Calathes Keeps Greece in the Fight<\/h2>\n

Greece started patiently despite shooting just 4 of 16 from three point range and 5 of 10 from the free throw line.<\/p>\n

Ukraine built an eight point lead during the opening half, but Calathes helped Greece stay within touching distance. The veteran guard scored nine points in the first half and contributed four assists and three rebounds as Greece repeatedly fought its way back.<\/p>\n

Antonis Karagiannidis also provided valuable minutes off the bench, helping Greece improve defensively. His contribution proved important as Greece eventually took the lead at 37-36 with 1:33 remaining in the first half.<\/p>\n

Mitoglou struggled defensively but provided important offensive production, scoring seven points before halftime.<\/p>\n

Ukraine, meanwhile, found success attacking close to the basket and capitalized on Greece\u2019s mistakes. Despite losing the rebounding battle, Ukraine scored eight points off turnovers and another eight on second chance opportunities.<\/p>\n

The halftime score was 40-37 in favor of Ukraine.<\/p>\n

Ukraine Pulls Away After the Break<\/h2>\n

Greece received a boost from Dorsey in the third quarter, but its performance began to unravel.<\/p>\n

The national team lost several important possessions and allowed Ukraine\u2019s perimeter players to become increasingly influential. The hosts took advantage and extended their lead to 62-54 heading into the final period.<\/p>\n

Greece briefly responded, cutting the deficit to three points at 62-59, but Ukraine continued to find open looks from outside.<\/p>\n

Voinalovich hit another three pointer to put Ukraine ahead 70-59 before the hosts extended their advantage to 79-66.<\/p>\n

With just 4:01 remaining, Greece appeared to be heading toward a comfortable defeat as Ukraine led 80-66.<\/p>\n

Then came a late fightback.<\/p>\n

Greece produced a remarkable 10-0 run to cut the deficit to 80-76 with less than a minute remaining, briefly raising hopes of an extraordinary comeback.<\/p>\n

However, Ukraine held its nerve.<\/p>\n

Kovlyar was sent to the free throw line with 11 seconds remaining and converted both attempts to make it 82-76 and effectively seal the victory.<\/p>\n

Greece could not respond, suffering a third straight defeat in the qualifying campaign.<\/p>\n

Group 9 Standings<\/h3>\n

Ukraine now leads Group 9 with a 5-2 record and 12 points, followed by Spain and Georgia on 11 points.<\/p>\n

Greece sits fifth with 10 points and a 3-4 record, while Portugal is sixth with nine points.<\/p>\n

The top three teams from the group will advance to the final phase of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers.<\/p>\n

Group 9<\/h4>\n

Ukraine:<\/strong> 12 points (5-2)
Spain:<\/strong> 11 points (5-1)
Georgia:<\/strong> 11 points (4-3)
Montenegro:<\/strong> 11 points (4-3)
Greece:<\/strong> 10 points (3-4)
Portugal:<\/strong> 9 points (3-3)<\/p>\n

Greece\u2019s Next Game<\/h3>\n

Greece faces Spain on August 31 at 7:00 p.m. in a crucial Group 9 clash.<\/p>\n

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With qualification now under serious threat, the national team has little room for further mistakes.<\/p>\n