No Defeats: Ukraine's Men's and Women's Deaflympics Basketball Teams Crowned European Champions 2024
In Malaga, Spain, the Ukrainian Deaflympics national men's and women's basketball teams became the champions of Europe 2024. From 21 to 29 June, representatives of 9 countries of the Old World - Spain, Lithuania, Israel, Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Poland, Turkey and Ukraine - competed for the European Cup.
Both national teams of Ukraine came out of their groups first without a single defeat and reached the finals, where they virtually defeated their rivals.
The match scores were as follows.
Women: Ukraine-Greece - 63:44, Ukraine-Lithuania - 63:52, Ukraine-Turkey - 73:45, Ukraine-Italy - 71:62
Men: Ukraine-Greece - 66:64, Ukraine-Poland - 78:62, 89:63, Ukraine-Israel - 57:53, Ukraine-Slovenia - 108:54, Ukraine-Lithuania - 79:52
Ivan Dudar and Kseniia Afanasieva were recognised as the most valuable players of this European Championship. Elena Khoroskhykh was named the top scorer. Pavlo Bondarenko and Olena Ogorodnikova are among the five best players.
As the head of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, Matviy Bidnyi, said in an interview with CNN, during the ongoing Russian war, Ukrainian athletes are the best ambassadors of the will to win and our fight for freedom.
"The will to win is the slogan of our Olympic team this year," said Bidnyi.
He also emphasised the importance of Ukrainian athletes participating in international competitions to demonstrate the Ukrainian will to win to the world.
"We understand that we need the Olympic Games. We need this platform. We need to be there to show the world our resilience and strength," said Bidnyi.
The minister added that the so-called "neutral" athletes from Russia and Belarus should not take part in the Olympic Games.
"There is no place for athletes from Russia and Belarus at any international events, not only sports, but also cultural or political. They are all agents of hybrid influence," the head of the Ministry of Youth and Sports said.
He emphasised that Ukraine's participation in the Olympic Games is already a victory and an important opportunity to demonstrate our will to win.