On April 4-6, 2014, in Nikolaev, the Ukrainian Maxibasketball Championship 55+ was held on the second stage of the traditional memorial tournament AMICO-2014 in commemoration of Professor Michael Alexandrov. The National University of Shipbuilding (NUS) Sports Hall was the host venue of the Championship 55+.

Four teams attended the event: AMICO (Nikolaev, the hosting team), the national team of Ukraine 65+, Donetsk team and Odessa team. This tournament was a very important chance for the national team of Ukraine 65+ for high-quality preparation before the 8^th FIMBA European Maxibasketball Championship 2014 in Ostrava, Czech Republic. The players from Donetsk and Odessa also were glad to participate in the AMICO Tournament, considered by many as one of the top basketball tournaments in Ukraine.

Organizers took great efforts in providing the tournament as competitive, enjoyable and well organized event. As always this competition was a big holiday for veterans. Maxibaskeball players showed the advantages of healthy and active living to the younger generation. These men realized an elite sporting values in their lives. The major organizer of the tournament, FIMBA Representative in Ukraine Yuriy Zhukov said, “We always share FIMBA slogan “Don’t add age to your life but life to your age”. Maxibasketball is more than just training exercises and games, it is a “Way of life” that improves our lives physically, mentally and spiritually. It makes us stronger, gives us new friends and makes us confident in our future”. Evgeniy Vikharev, the captain of the national team of Ukraine 65+ added, “We are grateful to organizers of the tournament for the invitation. It is fine opportunity to see our mistakes during the games with strong rivals and increase our capacity. It is an invaluable experience”. 

         AMICO and Odessa team opened the tournament. Long-time rivals actively and hazardously started the game. In the first quarter AMICO jumped to a 27 : 19 lead. AMICO consecutive won the second period 21 : 15 and the third period 18 : 14. After three periods AMICO had a significant advantage 66 : 48. Despite their 19 : 18 lead in the last quarter Odessa suffered a 67 : 84 defeat against AMICO.

          In the next game Donetsk team competed with the national team of Ukraine 65+. In the first period Donetsk’s more younger players built the lead 28 : 14 and maintained safe margin the rest of the game. Donetsk took a 68 : 57 success over the national team of Ukraine 65+. Boris Yamkovoy made an important contribution for the winners with 35 points.

         In the second day of the tournament the match between Donetsk and Odessa was held. Donetsk team started strong to get a 35-12 gap at the halftime. Only in the third quarter Odessa reacted with their 19-12 lead. In the last quarter, however, Donetsk increased the difference to 67-45 and sealed the victory. Donetsk’s best scorer Yamkovoy starred by drilling 35 points. Sargeniuk hit 19 points and Yurin added 14 points for Odessa.

   In the same day AMICO played against the national team of Ukraine 65+. AMICO had a 23 : 9 lead in the first period and raised it to 41 : 25 at the halftime. The national team of Ukraine 65+ sparked with 18 : 10 run in the third quarter. But AMICO completed their job by taking a 66 : 54 victory. Lakezin scored 22 points, Petrov – 18 points, Zhukov – 11 points for the winners. Martinov produced 13 points, Karpuhin delivered 11 points and Vasilenko added 10 points for the national team.

         In the third day of the tournament the national team of Ukraine 65+ competed with Odessa team for bronze medals. After the first half Odessa got a 45 : 24 margin. In the third quarter the national team of Ukraine evened the score 12 : 12. In the fourth period the national team began to attack and took the lead 15 : 8. But the total result 65 : 51 was in favor of Odessa.