Oleksandr Kovlyar calls return to Podgorica “a bit surreal” ahead of Ukraine’s World Cup qualifier

Oleksandr Kovlyar calls return to Podgorica “a bit surreal” ahead of Ukraine’s World Cup qualifier AI

Ukraine guard Oleksandr Kovlyar told Sport.ua he finds it “a bit surreal” to play in Podgorica — where he spent last season with Budućnost — as Ukraine prepare to face Montenegro in a World Cup-2027 qualifier on 31 August. Kickoff is 21:30 Kyiv time. Useful for Kyiv fans: the match kicks off at 21:30 Kyiv time on 31 August; Kovlyar is one of Ukraine’s key guards and played last season in Podgorica.

Oleksandr Kovlyar, a guard for the Ukraine national team, spoke to Sport.ua ahead of Ukraine’s second-round World Cup-2027 qualifying match against Montenegro. Kovlyar said it felt “a bit surreal” to return to Podgorica, where he played last season and is expected to play next, but added that the main goal is to win and move closer to the World Cup.

Kovlyar credited Ukraine’s recent win over Greece to their physical style and said Montenegro will also play aggressively with strong defensive intensity. He highlighted the importance of stopping Montenegro’s leaders — naming Farrell among the threats — and said the team must approach the tournament game by game without overthinking future fixtures.

He also noted the personal connection of sharing the court with Maksym Shulha, a teammate from youth national squads, and declined to socialise with opponents before the match. The game is scheduled for 31 August at Morača Sports Centre, starting at 21:30 Kyiv time.

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