Ukrainian Championship 55+, Zhitomir-2016

         Ukrainian Maxibasketball Championship 55+ took place from 21 to 24 of April 2016 in Zhitomir. Five Ukrainian veterans’ teams from Zhitomir, Krivoy Rog, Kyiv, Nikolaev and Lviv participated in the competition. More senior AMICO 60+ team from Nikolaev took part in this tournament in order to prepare for forthcoming Eurropean Maxibasketball Championship in Serbia. Ukrainian veterans’ teams are comprised of players who can compete and dominate on European and world courts. The process of finding ways for veterans to stay active and perform with great success at the Ukrainian and international tournaments is never-ending. It is tireless and permanent work.

On April 21, 2016 Zhitomir team and Krivoy Rog team opened the championship. The hosts started better and took a 16:15 lead after a relatively close first quarter. In the second period Krivoy Rog managed to turn the game and got up 31:27 gap at the halftime break. Zhitomir started the third term strongly and enjoyed a 35:34 lead at the final interval, which was more useful for visitors. Krivoy Rog team came out in the fourth period with higher level of energy and secured a one-point victory 41: 40. After that exciting game Krivoy Rog confidently marched to the gold medals. In the next tournament’s day Krivoy Rog stretched their winning streak after taking a 90:42 victory against AMICO (Nikolaev).

Same day AMICO competed versus Zhitomir team. The hosts took control from the first minutes and won three quarters 51:35. In the last period AMICO’s coach A. Petrov rotated players and changed tactical schemes. AMICO managed to win fourth term 22:18. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory. Zhitomir outscored AMICO 69:57. Felbaba delivered 22 points and Kofto scored 18 points in the effort for Zhitomir team. Berezhinskiy provided 28 points and Petrov added 23 points for AMICO team.

On April 23 AMICO team faced Lviv team. AMICO had huge desire to achieve a victory after two-game losing streak. AMICO dominated during the game. Lviv was not able to take back game control losing eventually 32:72. Gamov helped Nikolaev to win the game recording 20 points. Berezhinskiy and Petrov added 15 and 14 points respectively for AMICO. Lviv’s player Detiuk produced a team-high 13 points.

Next AMICO’s opponent was Kyiv team. AMICO opened the game with offensive actions spanning the first and second quarters to take a lead 30:28. After the halftime break Kyiv team erased the deficit and extended their advantage. They stayed in charge throughout the all second half. AMICO could not avoid the defeat 50:62 and received the fourth place.

Krivoy Rog won a rank of the champion of the tournament. Kyiv earned the second place. Zhitomir took the third place.

The Championship 55+ gave the opportunity to check Ukrainian veterans’ qualities and their readiness for upcoming European Championship. Maxibasketball players demonstrated good shooting, ball handling with special moves and high technique attributes. The tournament presented modern level of basketball and lot of talented hoopsters.