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World Service,5 mins

Ukrainian basketball team stranded in Spain

Sportsworld

Available for over a year

The Ukrainian basketball team are stranded in Madrid after Sunday's second World Cup qualifier against Spain in Kyiv was postponed. Sportsworld's Lee James was able to speak with Ukrainian basketball star Artem Pustovyi about the invasion of his country and what it means for his teammates and sport. "I can't believe this has happened," he says. A minute's silence was held before and after Thursday's first game in Cordoba, while the sold-out crowd gave the Ukrainian team a standing ovation and many players burst into tears after the match. "You sit on the bench and everything comes back, " he says, reflecting on his feelings during the game that went ahead against Spain after the news broke. Pustovyi has been pictured with tears blurring the words "No War" emblazoned on his cheeks. Image: Artem Pustovyi of Ukraine controls the ball during the FIBA Eurobasket 2021 qualifier match between Ukraine and Hungary on February 23, 2020 Credit: Gettty Images

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