14th FIMBA World Maxibasketball Championship

14th FIMBA World Maxibasketball Championship took place from June 30th to July 9th, 2017 in Montecatini Terme, Tuscany, Italy. 367 teams from 45 countries, more than 5000 competitors took part in the Championship. It is the new amazing achievement of FIMBA tournament. Ukraine sent eight teams to the World Championship: two women’s teams Ladies’ Legion F30+, Ladies’ Legion F45+ and six men’s teams: Udavy M40+, Veteran Basket M50+, Veteran Basket M55+, AMICO M60+, Lions of Galichina M65+, BIG GAME M70+.

Tuscany was represented by the best season for the international visitors. The charming town Montecatini Terme created a joyful atmosphere for all athletes and fans from all around the world. The city deserved this festivity of the World Maxibasketball. The citizens were excited and proud to host the Championship. The organizers did all the hard work to make this a memorable and successful event. The feeling of cordiality and the spirit of fraternity prevailed in the competition.

The ceremonies and social events were a very important element of this Championship. The Opening Ceremony commenced with the competitors’ parade on streets of Montecatini. Citizens welcomed the athletes, coaches and fans. The official part of Ceremony was held at large city hippodrome. The mayor of Montecatini Terme and others officials in their speeches to competitors and fans wished them the unforgettable and exciting Championship in a spirit of friendship, respect and fair play.

Ukrainian teams showed good results despite flawed competition system of the tournament. Teams’ standings are as follows: Ladies’ Legion F30+ -4th place, Ladies’ Legion F45+- 1-st place, Udavy M40+-3rd place, Veteran Basket M50+-4th place, Veteran Basket M55+-17th place, AMICO M60+- 10th place, Lions of Galichina M65+ 9th place, BIG GAME M70+- 7th place. AMICO M60+, Lions of Galichina M65+, BIG GAME M70+ have won all their games except one at the group stage. At other competition system these teams could take higher places in standings. At this championship the group stage was played in a round robin format where only the winner of the group was advanced to the Quarter-Finals round of the tournament to compete for medals with top teams from another groups.

Only one Ukrainian team F45+ had won all matches and became the world champion. In this gold team there were representatives of Nikolayev Evgeniya Tregubova and Svetlana Levera. Both players were very grateful to the famous Nikolayev’s Maxibasketball leader Elena Zhukova for an opportunity to participate in the Championship. At this tournament Elena Zhukova played for “Ladies’ Legion F30+” team. M-50+ and  M60+                          LL-30 and LL-45