The Ukraine U20 Women’s national team delivered a commanding performance at the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship Division B, crushing Albania U20 Women 95-43 on July 11, 2026. The dominant victory underlined Ukraine’s status as one of the tournament’s strongest sides and highlighted the gap in experience and depth between the two squads.

Match Overview

From the opening tip-off, Ukraine imposed its will on both ends of the floor. A relentless full-court press forced multiple early turnovers, and the offense flowed through crisp ball movement and high-percentage looks inside the paint. By the end of the first quarter, Ukraine had already built a 28-10 lead, setting the tone for a lopsided contest.

Albania struggled to find any rhythm against Ukraine’s disciplined defense. The Albanian guards faced constant pressure, leading to hurried shots and a high turnover count. Despite occasional flashes of resilience—particularly in the third quarter when they managed to slow the pace—the deficit proved too large to overcome.

Key Moments

• First-quarter blitz: Ukraine opened with a 12-0 run, capitalising on fast-break opportunities and second-chance points.
• Second-quarter separation: A 15-2 burst midway through the second period extended the lead to 30 points before halftime.
• Third-quarter push: Albania showed brief fight, cutting the margin to 28 points, but Ukraine responded with an 8-0 run to regain full control.
• Fourth-quarter dominance: Ukraine’s bench depth shone, outscoring Albania 22-10 in the final period to seal the 52-point victory.

Tactical Story

Ukraine’s game plan revolved around aggressive perimeter defense and quick transition offense. The team’s bigs consistently sealed off the paint, forcing Albania into contested mid-range jumpers. Offensively, Ukraine used high-low post entries and backdoor cuts to dismantle Albania’s zone looks. Albania, by contrast, lacked the ball-handling to break the press and often settled for low-percentage shots late in the shot clock.

Standout Players

Ukraine’s inside-out duo proved unstoppable. Center Anastasiia Koval recorded a double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds, converting multiple put-backs and dominating the glass. Guard Olena Shevchenko added 18 points and 7 assists, orchestrating the offense with poise. For Albania, forward Era Hoxha led her team with 12 points and 4 rebounds, showing determination despite the lopsided result.

Season & Table Impact

With this emphatic win, Ukraine improved to a strong record in the Division B group stage, bolstering their chances of advancing to the knockout rounds and competing for promotion. Albania, meanwhile, faced another tough lesson in their rebuilding campaign, but the experience gained at this level will be invaluable for their young core. The result also added to Ukraine’s growing reputation as a team to watch in the 2026 FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship Division B.