FIBA 1206
A unique Eurobasket
After a five year wait, EuroBasket 2022 is almost here. Emmet Ryan explains why this edition of the tournament promises to be a memorable entity for all sorts of reasons What have Malta, Ireland, and Armenia all got in common? They’ve all won men’s senior European titles since the last edition of EuroBasket. That’s just […]
It won’t be the same without Milos
There’ll be no Milos Teodosic at EuroBasket, it’s sad, surprising, but also somewhat natural, writes Emmet Ryan The effective international retirement of Milos Teodosic certainly came sooner than expected. Serbia’s shallowest position is arguably point guard and Teodosic has been the unquestioned leader at this spot for a long time. That Svetislav Pesic opted to […]
Best and worst case scenarios for Ireland’s men next summer
With the draw for the second round of pre-qualifiers for EuroBasket 2025 being made, there’s a slightly clearer picture of who Ireland might face in their August 2023 qualifiers The draw for round two of EuroBasket’s drawn-out qualification process for the 2025 tournament was made on Thursday. Who Ireland’s men will face, indeed how many […]
This is what it takes
The tough results for the Irish women’s Under 20 team in Sopron, Hungary, are an inevitable and important part of the nation’s progression in the sport It’s easy to feel sorry for the 12 player roster Ireland sent to Sopron. Ireland won promotion to the A Division at the Under 20 level all the way […]
Ireland’s men face a bigger question after Sunday’s game
With direct progress all but mathematically ruled out in EuroBasket 2025 qualification, there’s an existential issue that Basketball Ireland needs to address after Sunday’s game with Switzerland Formats can force decisions. They can make people get off the fence and give up humming and hawing. That’s what happened last summer after Ireland won the men’s […]
Ireland impress in qualifier win over Cyprus
Ireland’s first step in the long, long, road to FIBA EuroBasket 2025 ended in success with an impressive victory away to Cyprus. Emmet Ryan watched the game from a Starbucks rather than Nicosia but still got his report in shortly after the buzzer Whatever fear that Ireland would be walking into hostile territory was dispelled […]
Tough lessons well learned by Ireland on Euros return
The opening quarter removed any doubt about the result but Ireland’s first appearance in a EuroBasket qualifier since 2009 was a valuable learning experience that offered real promise for the future after a rotten start. Emmet Ryan reports from Amsterdam. It’s a step up. Everyone knew it was going to be but you don’t know […]
Tough draws for both Irish national teams
Ireland hasn’t participated in EuroBasket qualification for men or women since 2009 and the draws for both the men and women’s sides will prove tough tests Started from the bottom, now we’re here. Started from the bottom, now the whole team here, or teams technically in this case. After gold for the men and silver […]
What a return to international qualification would look like for Ireland
With the men taking gold in Dublin and silver for the women in Cyprus at the 2021 FIBA European Championships for Small Countries, Emmet Ryan explains what a return to the main international qualification pool would look like for Ireland Two things to bear in mind before we get to the nitty gritty. No formal […]
The long wait is over
Ireland ended a near three decade wait to complete a perfect 4-0 week and lift the trophy at the 2021 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries. Emmet Ryan was at the arena in Dublin to drink it all in That night in 1994, I was 13 years old and didn’t even know the game was […]
Carroll efficient as Ireland crush Gibraltar
John Carroll waited long enough to get his chance to play competitive hoops for Ireland. Now that he’s got it, he’s determined to stay unbeaten in competitive action while wearing a green jersey for as long as possible. Emmet Ryan watched him as Ireland moved to 3-0 at the FIBA European Championships for Small Countries […]
Interview: The Falzon bros bring the fire to Dublin
Two brothers from just outside of Boston have been the standouts for Malta so far at the FIBA European Championships for Small Countries. Tevin and Aaron Falzon are proud to be representing the nation of the family and want to claim a second straight crown in Dublin European countries tend to be quite proud of […]