Defender of the Ukraine national team Denys Lukashov, commenting on the game against Northern Macedonia in the mixed zone, mentioned the games with this opponent 11 years ago and assessed the upcoming matches against Spain.
Lukashov scored 13 points in the match against Northern Macedonia, including 3 of 6 long throws, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
- We are very happy that we managed to win, because we had an unfortunate defeat in Georgia, where everything was decided at the end of the match. Probably, luck turned away on some stage, and our mistakes allowed the Georgians to win the first victory.
Tuned in to this game as the first home game, and desired to win at home in front of our fans. We didn't start very well - our open throws were not accurate, somewhere we didn't know what’s what in defense, but in the second half we made some adjustments and started to act more aggressively, play as a team, after which everything fell into place.
- In the first half, there was not enough concentration, or the opponent acted very aggressively?
- No, there was no aggression. Rather, you are right that in the first half of the match we lacked concentration. Northern Macedonia does not sound so strong in the world of basketball now, but 11 years ago, we also thought so when we played qualification against them, and they came and showed that their team is ready to overcome any team. Moreover, in a year they won the semifinals of the European Championship. That is why I expected it to be such a difficult game. Some misunderstandings in the defense and inaccurate shots became the reason for such a bad first half.
- How can you assess the starting two matches of the national team of Ukraine in the selection for the 2023 World Cup in general?
- On the one hand, we are glad that we won today, but we still have a big residue from the defeat in Georgia. I cannot say that we played very well there, but the victory was close. The whole game we were next to them, fell behind sometimes, but it's a pity that we made decisive mistakes in the end, which cost us the victory.
The February window, most likely, will be moved and the Euroleague players may join their teams, and we do not have any and no one to strengthen. It may be difficult, but everything depends on our mood.
- In the upcoming matches, we will have to play against Spain. What can you say about this opponent?
- Spain does not need to be represented, because everyone knows that it is a world grand. However, we have already beaten them and nothing is impossible - they are the same people as us. Of course, they have experience, but I can say that we are not going to give up, we will fight, and then let it be as it should be.
