Two points shy of gold: Mykolaiv's "Niko-Basket-COP" finished as the silver medalist of the Youth League

Mykolaiv basketball club “Niko-Basket-COP” became the silver medalist of the men’s Youth League of the 2026 season. 30–31 May 2026 in Kyiv, at the arena of the “Avangard” sports complex, the Final Four of the Youth League in basketball took place. This was reported on 31 May 2026 by the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration.

The decisive stage of the competition featured the four best teams based on the group phase: “Niko-Basket-COP” from Mykolaiv, “BIPA – Odesa Region Team” from Odesa, as well as the Kyiv-based “Freedom UA” and “Admirals”.

The Mykolaiv team, coached by Valentyn Berestniev, finished the group stage in first place in Group 1, earning two wins in two matches and confidently advancing to the Final Four. In the semifinal the Mykolaiv side convincingly beat the Kyiv club “Admirals”. “Niko-Basket-COP” set the pace from the first quarter, winning the opening period 30:22, and after the main break finally broke the opponent’s resistance with a powerful third quarter – 32:20. The semifinal match ended with a Mykolaiv victory of 104:85.

“Niko-Basket-COP” – “Admirals” – 104:85
30:22, 17:17, 32:20, 25:26

In the Mykolaiv lineup in the semifinal the following players performed effectively: Neamtsu – 12 points and seven rebounds, Stryzhak – 16 points, five rebounds and eight assists, Hryshchuk – 43 points, 11 rebounds and two assists, Pasholok – five points, seven rebounds and nine assists, Shapovalov – 20 points, four rebounds and two assists, Havryshchuk – eight points and four rebounds, Korotchenko – eight rebounds and two assists.

The final against “Freedom UA” was a completely different story – tense, physical and almost even until the last seconds. Mykolaiv won the first quarter 24:23, added in the second and went into the main break with the lead. But after the pause the capital team sharply raised the tempo and took the third quarter 27:20, effectively turning the match around.

The last ten minutes became a battle of character. “Niko-Basket-COP” did not let their opponent go, kept coming back, fought for every possession, every rebound and every free throw. The margin stayed within one or two scores, and the final buzzer only recorded how close Mykolaiv were to gold. In the decisive match the players of Valentyn Berestniev lost to “Freedom UA” with a score of 85:87. Only two points separated the Mykolaiv team from the championship title.

“Niko-Basket-COP” – “Freedom UA” – 85:87
24:23, 15:12, 20:27, 26:25

In the final the top scorers for “Niko-Basket-COP” were: Stryzhak – 27 points, 10 rebounds and one assist, Neamtsu – 23 points and 11 rebounds, Hryshchuk – 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists, Korotchenko – 10 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, Pasholok – four points, five rebounds and three assists, Shapovalov – three points, one rebound and five assists, Chupenko – two points.

As a result of the tournament “Niko-Basket-COP” won the silver medals of the men’s Youth League of the 2026 season.

The Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration congratulated the players and coaching staff and thanked them for a worthy representation of Mykolaiv region.

Previously we wrote:

• Niko-Basket secured a convincing victory over Cherkasy Monkeys
• Niko-Basket claimed an away victory over Staryi Lutsk
• Niko-Basket lost at home – the final minutes decided everything again
• Niko-Basket creates a sensation: Mykolaiv players snatched a win in a dramatic SuperLeague match
• Silver also shines! Niko-Basket wrapped up the season like in the NBA!