Vyacheslav Kravtsov has expressed his readiness to support the Ukrainian national basketball team in their upcoming World Championship pre-qualification matches. The 37-year-old veteran discussed the team's preparation for games against Switzerland and Slovakia, highlighting both challenges and opportunities for the squad.
"I'm ready to help the national team – that's my main motivation," Kravtsov stated when discussing his potential involvement in the summer tournament.
The experienced center, who has been part of the national setup for many years, provided insights into Ukraine's struggles during the EuroBasket 2025 qualification process. He pointed to significant roster changes as a major factor affecting the team's performance.
"When the team undergoes major changes, it always experiences stress. During successful periods, our roster barely changed – just two or three players at most. In recent years, the national team has changed significantly. Veterans are gradually leaving, while younger players might feel less confident, lack experience, or get nervous," Kravtsov explained.
Interestingly, Kravtsov was particularly impressed with the newcomers in Ukraine's frontcourt. He singled out Novitsky as a standout talent, predicting a bright future for him. Regarding Sipalo, Kravtsov noted similarities to himself at a younger age, appreciating the player's versatility and basketball IQ. As for Klichko, he acknowledged the player's size but mentioned he still has significant development ahead, having started basketball relatively late.
The return of coach Ainars Bagatskis doesn't seem to concern Kravtsov. "That's life. Coaches change. I'm on good terms with everyone, so I can't say much on this topic. A new coach has arrived, and we need to work with him. Besides, we've worked with him before. We know many things, so adaptation will be easier," he commented.
Looking ahead to the August matchups against Switzerland and Slovakia, Kravtsov expects tough competition. "The most difficult groups are those where teams are at nearly the same level. Success will be determined not by skill but by experience and concentration in each game. Strong desire is essential. The toughest matches are against teams at your own level," he noted.
Kravtsov also expressed concerns about player commitment to the national team, echoing sentiments from Ukrainian Basketball Federation president Mikhail Brodsky. He questioned why some players decline call-ups without proper communication and recalled periods when 20-30 players would attend national team camps, all eager to make the roster.
Ukraine will begin their Group A campaign with an away game against Switzerland on August 6, followed by home matches against Slovakia (August 9) and Switzerland (August 16), before concluding with an away fixture in Slovakia on August 20. Can this mixture of veterans and promising talents secure Ukraine a place in the main World Championship qualification tournament? The basketball community will be watching closely.
With two teams from each group advancing to the main World Championship qualification phase, the stakes couldn't be higher for Kravtsov and his teammates.
