Israel and Ukraine before the U-20 EuroBasket: Ukrainians defeated Georgia and are preparing for two matches with the Israelis

The Ukraine U-20 team confidently began a series of friendly matches before the European Championship and defeated Georgia with a score of 81:68. But for the Israeli audience, the main thing in this news is not only the result itself.

The next stage of Ukraine’s preparation is two friendlies against Israel U-20, which are scheduled for June 28 and 29. This already makes Ukraine’s victory over Georgia part of a broader story: both teams are entering the July European cycle, but they approach it from different tournament realities.

Ukraine U-20: victory over Georgia and squad testing before Bratislava

The match against Georgia showed that the Ukrainian youth team is already gaining game rhythm. The first quarter was key for Ukraine: the team quickly gained a 24:14 advantage and did not allow the opponent to impose an equal game scenario from the first minutes.

In the second quarter, Georgia increased its intensity, but the Ukrainians still maintained the lead. The period ended with a minimal advantage for Ukraine — 15:14, and by the big break, the score was already 39:28.

The third quarter finally secured Ukrainian control. Ukraine won it 26:19, after which even the lost final segment 16:21 did not change the overall picture.

What is especially important in Ukraine’s game

Ukraine not only had a good score but also several indicators that are important specifically for tournament preparation. According to the Basketball Federation of Ukraine, the team scored 31 points after the opponent’s turnovers, while Georgia only 14. This indicates defensive pressure and the ability to quickly turn the opponent’s mistakes into results.

Another strong signal is the bench. Ukrainian substitutes scored 33 points, and Maksym Hryshchuk, who did not start in the starting five, recorded a double-double: 11 points and 12 rebounds. The top scorer for Ukraine was captain Yehor Sushkin — 15 points, including 3 out of 5 three-pointers.

For Dmytro Zabirchenko’s team, this is important because the European U-20 Championship in Division B will take place from July 10 to 19, 2026, in Bratislava. Ukraine is in Group B along with Estonia, Switzerland, Georgia, and Luxembourg, meaning the match against Georgia was not a random friendly but a direct test against an opponent from the same tournament zone.

Israel U-20: a different level of challenge and domestic interest in the July tournament

For Israel, the upcoming matches with Ukraine are also not a formality. The Israeli youth team is preparing for the FIBA U20 EuroBasket 2026 in the main bracket, which will take place from July 11 to 19 in Ljubljana, at the Stožice Arena. The tournament will feature 16 teams, and Israel is in Group D along with Slovenia, Czech Republic, and Romania.

This is a completely different level of pressure. Ukraine is solving the task in Division B and is fighting for growth, stability, and results in its group. Israel, on the other hand, will play in the elite European bracket, where young players’ mistakes are punished faster, and each match immediately affects the playoff bracket.

Therefore, the two friendlies with Ukraine on June 28 and 29 are as important for the Israeli team as they are for the Ukrainian team. Ukraine has already shown that it can defend aggressively, score points after turnovers, and deliver results from the bench. For Israel, this is a good test before matches against Slovenia, Czech Republic, and Romania.

Why this is interesting specifically to Israeli fans

The Israeli audience is accustomed to closely following youth basketball: U-20 in Israel is perceived not only as a youth category but as the nearest reserve for big basketball. In such tournaments, it is usually visible who can transition to adult clubs, withstand the European pace, and become part of the future national team.

Against this backdrop, Ukraine is a convenient but challenging opponent for testing. It fights physically, actively uses pressure, and already has an official friendly match under its belt. Israel needs such games to test not only shooting and attack but also reaction to contact, rebounding, turnovers, and short failures by quarters.

That is why НАновости — Новости Израиля | Nikk.Agency considers this match not as a separate sports line but as part of the overall Israel–Ukraine agenda: two youth teams, two routes to the European tournament, and two different tasks before the July basketball cycle.

What the matches between Israel and Ukraine on June 28–29 will show

After the victory over Georgia, Ukraine approaches the games with Israel in good shape. The team has already seen who can take responsibility, how the rotation works, and where there are still weaknesses. The main question for Ukraine is whether it can maintain concentration not only in the first and third quarters but throughout the entire match.

For Israel, these friendlies will be a test before a stronger tournament environment. In Ljubljana, the Israelis will have to play against teams that will be quicker to punish mistakes, so the matches with Ukraine can be a useful rehearsal: pressure, rebounding, defense against fast attacks, and playing against a team that knows how to score points after turnovers.

Match result with Georgia:

Georgia U-20 — Ukraine U-20 68:81
By quarters: 14:24, 14:15, 19:26, 21:16

Next, the focus shifts to Israel. If Ukraine confirms the level shown against Georgia, the Israeli team will receive a serious test before their EuroBasket. And if Israel manages to impose the pace and limit Ukraine’s fast points after turnovers, these two games will provide a more accurate understanding of both teams’ readiness for July.