FIBA 1206
Rudy Gobert manhandles Poland as France make the EuroBasket 2022 final
Rudy Gobert was always going to be a force in this game but the sheer ease with which he dominated Poland was shocking to all watching as the Minnesota Timberwolves man barely broke a sweat in a controlled performance to reach the final of EuroBasket 2022. Emmet Ryan was in Berlin to watch the three […]
Preview: Germany vs Spain
The semi finals of EuroBasket 2022 are here and Friday’s main event is between hosts Germany and Sergio Scariolo’s Spain All games from now on are at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany When? Friday 16 September 20.30 CEST, 19.30 BST, 14.30 EST, 11.30 PST How they got here Germany (7-1) have impressed by and […]
Preview: Poland vs France
The semi finals of EuroBasket 2022 are here and Friday’s opener sees Cinderella side Poland take on perennial contenders France All games from now on are at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany When? Friday 16 September 17.15 CEST, 16.15 BST, 11.15 EST, 08.15 PST How they got here France (6-2) is about as battle […]
Titanfall: Why the NBA’s biggest stars failed at EuroBasket
With the big three of EuroBasket 2022 not even making it to the medal round, Emmet Ryan breaks down how changing cultures in basketball have been behind the shocking exists of Antetkounmpo, Doncic, Jokic, and more There’s a poster just inside the media entrance of the Mercedes-Benz Arena. The main promo for EuroBasket and similar […]
Triple double from Ponitka fires Poland past Slovenia
Poland recovered from an epic collapse thanks to the heroics of Mateusz Ponitka and AJ Slaughter to stun Luka Doncic and defending champions Slovenia and reach the semi finals in historic fashion. Slovenia started this game with the bold strategy of opting not to play any D. It made things rather entertaining but was visibly […]
France escape in OT again
France survived a storming second half to secure their place in the semi-finals as they won their second overtime game in as many outings to outlast Italy. It was a more subdued Gianmarco Pozzecco to start proceedings between Italy and France. There was a mild discussion with a ref and a big sigh after a […]
The Susijengi story has only just begun
Finland’s exit from EuroBasket 2022 on Tuesday was the end of an era for two stalwarts but, Emmet Ryan writes, the beginning of a bright new future for hoops in Suomi. There was a different flavour to the disappointment that Finnish fans felt on Tuesday, a taste that they weren’t used to but one that […]
Germany demolish Greece in Berlin
Greece had so much going for them. A 60 point first half outing, something no team had ever managed to do and gone on to lose. An enormous travelling support in the stands. Oh, and a two time NBA MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo. None of it mattered as a barrage of three from a fired […]
You can never count out Sergio Scariolo
Finland set all kinds of first half records against Spain but if you’re going to beat Sergio Scariolo, you need to outsmart him for the full 40. Emmet Ryan watched another brilliant sideline performance from the Spain coach as his side reached the semi-finals for the 11th straight time For Finland it was the biggest […]
It’s the Luka show whether Slovenia like it or not
Luka Doncic has been a machine for Slovenia at EuroBasket 2022. That was expected but the load has been even greater than anticipated. Emmet Ryan on how the Dallas Mavericks superstar has been more than just the man for his nation. This is a very different EuroBasket for Luka Doncic. In 2017, he was part […]
The dream isn’t done
Finland have been nearly men of European basketball for decades. Now that they’ve made the breakthrough, they can’t let the emotion of the moment distract them against Spain, writes Emmet Ryan. As is the norm at EuroBasket, I posted some videos after Finland’s remarkable victory over Croatia to make the quarter finals of EuroBasket for […]
The Atomic Fly
Italy coach Gianmarco Pozzecco is a character but can his madness lead Italy to a first medal in almost two decades? Emmet Ryan on the remarkable man who is on the sideline for the Azzuri La Mosca Atomica, the Atomic Fly, that’s what Gianmarco Pozzecco has been known as throughout most of his basketball career. […]