Montenegro vs Ukraine – Preview & Prediction: Montenegro will play at home against Ukraine in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
At Basketball Sphere, basketball isn’t just a game – it’s a passion we turn into detailed analysis and winning betting tips. Every day, we bring you comprehensive game predictions, helping you place bets smarter and with more confidence. Looking for the best picks? Check out our Acca of the Day, a carefully selected combination of wagers for those who enjoy a bit more excitement. Join a community of real basketball experts and bet with trusted insights and expert advice, making every game even more thrilling!
Best Betting Odds
Standings
Montenegro vs Ukraine Preview
Montenegro could do little against Georgia on Friday, as expected. Georgia’s three biggest stars – Goga Bitadze, Tornike Shengelia and Sandro Mamukelashvili – all had strong performances, making a 27-point defeat inevitable. Montenegro could do little against Georgia on Friday. The departures of Nikola Vucevic, Vladimir Mihailovic, Nikola Ivanovic and Bojan Dubljevic could leave a significant void, and against quality teams such as Georgia, Montenegro simply does not have enough firepower in this roster to compete. The absence of Marko Simonovic is another problem for Zvezdan Mitrovic’s team. Yogi Ferrell is Montenegro’s naturalized player in this window as well. The Montenegrins know him well, and this is certainly a more comfortable option for them than Kyle Allman, who did not make much of an impact at last year’s EuroBasket. Taking everything into account, Montenegro are relying mostly on players from the ABA League, such as Petar Popovic, Igor Drobnjak, Andrija Slavkovic and Zoran Nikolic, while young Jovan Kljajic is also part of the roster. Head coach Zvezdan Mitrovic said before the start of preparations: “Whoever comes is welcome.” That was essentially the principle behind assembling this roster, but despite some heroic wins in the first round of the qualifiers, this Montenegro team has little reason for optimism even against Ukraine at home. The captain is Nemanja Radovic, who after many years playing in Spain is now competing in Taiwan.
Ukraine, on the other hand, enters this game with perhaps its strongest available roster. Ukraine defeated Greece and now sit at 5-2, sharing the top spot with Spain. Montenegro, Portugal and Georgia are all 4-3, while Greece sit at 3-4, making this one of the most exciting groups in the European qualifiers. Ukraine’s first option is Oleksandr Kovliar, who was named Player of the Game against Greece, while NBA player Svi Mykhailiuk and former Boston Celtics player and current Real Madrid guard Max Shulga provide significant individual quality. Add to that the fact that their roster would be even stronger if Aleks Len were available, and it is clear why Ukraine are heading to Podgorica with plenty of confidence. Ukraine have not been able to play their home games on home soil for years, but they are now in an excellent position to take a major step toward qualifying for the World Cup. Their win over Greece in Riga certainly boosted their confidence, particularly ahead of a road game against Montenegro, who have barely played together with this roster. Alongside Kovliar, Mykhailiuk and Shulga, Vyacheslav Bobrov, Ivan Tkachenko, Dmytro Skapintsev and Andrii Voinalovych also play important roles in Ainars Bagatskis’ system. The experienced Latvian coach has an opportunity to take Ukraine to the World Cup and put the national team back on the big stage. Ukraine last played at the EuroBasket in 2022, having previously been regular participants in the continental tournament for many years. As for the World Cup, they have qualified only once so far, in 2014.
Claim Now Montenegro vs Ukraine H2H
Before the game in Podgorica, these two teams had met only twice in official competition, with Montenegro winning both games. Those matchups came in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers for the 2019 tournament in China. Montenegro won by six points in Niksic, while they prevailed by two points in Kyiv. The only friendly meeting between the two sides also went Montenegro’s way, with the Montenegrins winning in 2017.
Injuries and Suspensions
Montenegro are dealing with a significant lack of quality and depth. Nikola Vucevic, Nikola Ivanovic, Vladimir Mihailovic and Bojan Dubljevic have all retired from international basketball, while Marko Simonovic, Dino Radoncic and Aleksa Ilic are also unavailable. NCAA players David Mirkovic, Luka Bogavac and Andrija Grbovic are not available either. In previous windows, Montenegro used Kendrick Perry and Derek Needham as their naturalized players. As for Ukraine, they will be without Alex Len, Oleksandr Lypovyi and Artem Pustovyi, while Issuf Sanon and Volodymyr Gerun are no longer answering the national team call.
Where to Watch Montenegro vs Ukraine?
Montenegro vs Ukraine Best Betting Tip and Prediction
Montenegro should be expected to show a strong reaction after their heavy road loss to Georgia. The Montenegrins will have home-court advantage, and they should receive strong support from their fans in Podgorica, which could prove to be a very important factor. It cannot be said that Ukraine have a more talented roster than Montenegro, so we expect the hosts to prove that on the court and ultimately come away with a crucial win.
Tip-off Time: Monday, 31.08.2026, 20:30 CET
Prediction: Montenegro to win
Odds: 1.79
Stake: 1 Unit
Sportsbook: 22Bet
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
*To get the best odds, join our Telegram channel HERE, where analysis and picks are posted the very moment they go live on the site while the odds from the article are still active
Sign up at 22Bet and claim your first deposit bonus!
More Picks
Where to Bet? The Best Online Sportsbooks in 2026
Finding the right sportsbook in 2026 is just as crucial as picking the right bets. The top-rated betting sites this year stand out with high odds, secure platforms, fast payouts, and a smooth user experience. Whether you prefer a trusted sportsbook with a long track record or a mobile-friendly betting site for wagering on the go, Basketball Sphere has carefully reviewed and listed the most reliable options.
🔥 Why these sportsbooks?
✔️ Safe and licensed platforms
✔️ Competitive odds across all major sports
✔️ Fast withdrawals with multiple payment options
✔️ Generous welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions
Bet smart, stay safe, and enjoy the best betting experience in 2026 – wherever and whenever you like!
