On June 5-8, 2014, in Dnepropetrovsk, the Ukrainian Maxibasketball FIMBA-Ukraine/AVBU Championships were held. Maxibasketball players competed in M40+, M45+ and M50+ age categories. AMICO (Nikolaev) participated in the M50+ age category tournament.

Despite continuing tension, huge sacrifice and separatists’ unrest in the east of the country, 13 Ukrainian Maxibasketball teams visited the event. Only one Mariupol team from war-ravaged eastern Ukraine could arrive to Dnepropetrovsk. Mariupol’s players were delighted with the quiet and friendly Dnepropetrovsk. At this decisive moment all participants declared their devotion to Ukraine’s freedom, independence and territorial integrity of the country. The Championship assembled a constellation of Ukrainian Maxibasketball stars to show their strength of spirit and nobility. This prestigious event was organized by Dnepropetrovsk Federation of Basketball and Dneprobasket Club.

On June 6 the first AMICO’s match was against Krivoy Rog team. AMICO consecutive won first, second and third periods 17:13; 10:7; 13:4.

 In the last period Krivoy Rog team sparked with a 24 : 16 lead. But in the end AMICO upset their rivals and celebrated the victory 56 : 48.

       On June 7 the match between AMICO and Kyiv region team was held. The AMICO’s rivals were not looking like a boys to beat. Kyiv region team started strong and had a 14 : 11 lead in the first period and raised it to 32 : 24 at the halftime. In the second half AMICO enforced their will and showed their best basketball in the tournament. They found their rhythm and sealed an impressive victory over Kyiv region team 58 : 55.                                                                              

       The same day a couple of hours AMICO played against hosts, Dnipro team. Dnipro began the first period with their trademark of teamwork, solid defense, strong outside shooting and deservedly received 20 points of advantage 36 : 16. In the next periods Dnipro continued to attack AMICO to a final buzzer and completed their job by taking a 91 : 62 victory. Dnipro won all other three games and added the Championship crown to their trophy case.

      On June 8 AMICO competed with Kyiv city team for the second place. Everything began well for AMICO. After the first period they had a significant advantage 20 : 9. But Kyiv’s players were determined only on a victory. It was do-or-die game for them. In the second period Kyiv team managed to reduce the gap. In the third period they tied things up to 42 : 42. And in the final quarter Kyiv team took control of the game and pulled out the win 75 : 63. The silver medals went to Kyiv team. The bronze medals were assigned to AMICO. AMICO’s best scorer A.Berezhynskiy tallied an astonishing 88 points throughout this championship.

       AMICO’s players complained that this result was the consequence of too tiring schedule as only our team played 4 consecutive games in less then 40 hours. From all other points of view the championships’ organization was perfect as usual.