Oleksii Solovyov, a guard for Kharkiv Sokoly, told Sport.ua the team has adapted to a summer of changes, including arrivals from Kyiv-Basket and a new head coach, Dmytro Oleksandrovych Zabirchenko. Solovyov said training is intensive, the squad looks to be gelling, and the club completed seven control matches without defeat.
The team will base itself in Kyiv this season because their home arena in Kharkiv is not available; Solovyov noted the security situation and long air-raid alerts affect both cities but the move gives the club a reliable hall for training and hosting opponents. He also said the side wants to draw Kyiv fans back with results.
Sokoly open the Superleague GGBET season this week against Rivne. Solovyov called the game "principled," because Sokoly lost to Rivne last season in the contest for third place. He confirmed he still keeps contact with former Rivne teammates — including Dmytro Tymoshchuk, Oleksandr Ponosov and Serhii Ryaboi — and hopes to start the season with a win and end the club’s recent run of seasons without prizes. Source: Sport.ua (citing the Ukrainian Basketball Federation).