National Leagues 372
Captain Mancio is back on the ship
Nicolò Origgi on the long journey home for Stefano Mancinelli Just over a decade ago, some then promising young Italian players were starting to make a name for themselves around the Bel Paese and Europe as well, thus catching the eyes of international scouts and drawing high praise from the media. Future NBAers Andrea Bargnani […]
Davide against Goliath
Nicolò Origgi on a shining star in an otherwise forgettable season for Olimpia Milano Olimpia Milano’s nightmare debut season in the 16-team Euroleague has finally ended – not in the best way for a club reportedly with the sixth biggest budget in the competition, but still – for the likely relief of their coaching and […]
From Barca to Kazan – The prospects for the non playoff teams
With the end of the regular season comes a chance for the eliminated sides to focus more on their domestic campaigns. Emmet Ryan looks at what’s in store for the teams not in the Euroleague playoffs We’re going to leave Dacka and Crvena Zvezda to one side for now and not just because both are […]
Superman hangs up his cape
After 17 years playing in the top flight, Jermaine Turner had one big night left in him. Emmet Ryan on Old Man Power finally calling it a day A Kieran Donaghy free throw proved the final score of the season. The Tralee Warriors star went one of two from the line and that was just […]
Only the buzzer can ground Air Lorcan
The odds were against Templeogue and the situation was grim, it was time for Lorcan Murphy to take flight. Emmet Ryan on how the young baller came up big as Templeogue secured a first ever Irish Superleague title Staring down an occasion isn’t easy. Just ask CSKA Moscow. For Templeogue, the power had been put […]
Where the Warriors roam
Emmet Ryan went to Tralee to watch a basketball game and he ended up getting a whole lot more It’s not like there weren’t sufficient warnings. Gina and Rob had told me over coffee in the afternoon that I’d want to be early, that the Tralee crowd always arrive early. The talk of the crowd […]
Narbon shows he’s in a different class as Swords claim cup
It was a stellar performance from Jose Maria Gil Narbon that made the difference as Swords Thunder claimed their first ever Irish cup. Emmet Ryan explains how the Real Madrid academy product is the different piece that makes him stand out in the Irish Superleague The casual fan in Ireland is no different to the […]
Killester players on the role of the Irish national team
Ahead of this Saturday’s Irish cup final, BallinEurope’s Emmet Ryan spoke with Jermaine Turner and Al Casey of Killester about the current rules on import players and the role of the Irish national team in the game in Ireland At 42, and having spent most of his adult life in Ireland, Jermaine Turner isn’t your […]
Liffey Celtics aren’t just here to take part
Liffey Celtics are playing in their first ever Irish Cup final on Sunday and go in as huge underdogs but they aren’t worried about any tags as Emmet Ryan found out The lengths a parent will go to in order to be there for their kid often leads to some unusual balancing acts. Emma O’Connor’s […]
The evolution of Isaac
Isaac Westbrooks has been waiting for Sunday’s Irish cup final since the final shot of last year’s decider. Emmet Ryan looks at what makes the standard setting guard in the Irish Superleague a man to watch on Saturday night It wasn’t exactly an open look but Isaac Westbrooks was out of options. Down three with […]
Basketball Ireland chief gunning for Olympic gig
Current Basketball Ireland chief executive Bernard O’Byrne is seeking the top job in the Olympic Council of Ireland [OCI]. Emmet Ryan spoke to O’Byrne about why he’s seeking the presidency and why the basketball boss believes he can win When Bernard O’Byrne stepped into the hot seat at Basketball Ireland, the situation was grim. O’Byrne, […]
Boone sends Liffey Celtics to historic cup final appearance
It wasn’t a game for the purist but Liffey Celtics made history on the back of a gritty display to reach their first ever Irish women’s cup final Speed overcame size in the early going of this Irish women’s cup semi-final. Liffey Celtics able to move the ball faster and create more good chances while […]