Ukraine had mixed fortunes in their opening two games of the additional qualifying tournament for the EuroBasket Women.

After defeating Bulgaria 77-47 on Sunday, they lost a heartbreaker to Israel on Wednesday, falling 69-67.

Ukraine's coach Maryna Tkachenko was full of fighting talk after the first contest.

"I want my girls to play with fire in their eyes and to be proud of defending the honour of the Ukrainian flag," said Tkachenko, who won a gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 with the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Tkachenko is also famous for having won a European title with Ukraine in 1995, when the tournament was staged in Brno, the Czech Republic.

A 16-0 run at the end of the first half virtually sealed the outcome of the game.

"I am happy that my girls managed to control their nerves in the second quarter and to achieve a good win. We've just taken the first step for taking the last available place in the EuroBasket.

"It will still be hard to make it."

The feel-good factor quickly left, however, at the conclusion of the game in Israel.

A few minutes from the end and Ukraine seemed to be in control but Israel fought back and made free throws at the end to secure victory.

Twenty-nine turnovers by Tkachenko's team proved detrimental.

Ukraine had endured a bad start to the game and trailed 41-33 at half-time but by the middle of the fourth quarter, Ukraine had come back and led 65-60.

They were unable to hold on.

Tkachenko said: "After the bad beginning we've managed to adjust our game. But it was too late".