The Dragon breathes fire as Goran gets his medal shot
Finally this tournament gave us the classic we have been waiting for. The stars stepped up when it mattered. Slovenia and Latvia lobbed everything they had at each other in an offensive feast. Eventually Luka Doncic proved decisive but the story of this game, and Slovenia’s quest for a medal, belongs to Goran Dragic according […]
Sluggish Spain eventually sweep aside Germany
Sergio Scariolo had plenty to be annoyed about through the first 27 minutes, with only Pau Gasol showing up for Spain before Chacho and Marc finally got it together. This was far from vintage Spain but it was enough to take dwon Germany. Emmet Ryan says they will need to be a lot better next […]
Messina needs one more miracle
Ahead of Italy’s quarter final clash with Serbia at EuroBasket 2017, Emmet Ryan looks at the challenge facing one of Europe’s greatest ever coaches. In what may prove to be his last ever game coaching Italy, Ettore Messina will need to pull out all the stops to keep the Azzuri alive in Istanbul and there’s […]
Andrey Vorontsevich, an appreciation
Russia take on Greece on Wednesday night with both sides looking to return to the medal rounds of EuroBasket for the first time in longer than either would normally consider acceptable. There will be stars on the court but one man, who might go unnoticed by the casual viewer, could play a big role according […]
Slovenia vs Latvia is going to be great no matter what
The most interesting game of the 2017 EuroBasket quarter finals is undoubtedly the second one on Tuesday as Slovenia and Latvia bring rosters with some big stars and really, really, different strengths to the table. Emmet Ryan has thought about every possible way this game could go and the BiE editor is certain this game […]
Theis and Voigtmann must deliver for Germany
Germany got what they wanted but they may not like what they see. A first trip to the EuroBasket quarter finals since 2007 sees them go up against Spain. The reigning champions and overwhelming favourites to retain their crown on Sunday. Emmet Ryan on what Chris Fleming’s side must do in order to stand any […]
Croatia get Shved-ed as Russia advance
Just when it looked like Sergey Bazarevich had made a tactical blunder, Alexey Shved proved his coach more than right by utterly taking over the game in the third quarter. Emmet Ryan on how Russia put their foot down when they lightened the load to sweep past Croatia and into the quarter finals of EuroBasket […]
Spain forced to fight for their win over Turkey
Spain did not expect this battle. Nobody expected this battle. Another creative coaching effort from Ufuk Sarica backed up by a great display by Furkan Korkmaz saw Turkey give Spain a fright before the favourites eventually advanced in EuroBasket 2017. Emmet Ryan on a tight battle in the Sinan Erdem Dome The odds were against […]
Serbia win, Istanbul is warm, stuff happened
Serbia played Hungary in basketball. Serbia won. Other things happened. Emmet Ryan smoked and talked to people or sometimes he just listened. Rather than break down a result that everyone saw coming, BiE’s editor takes you through the experience instead He would like to live in Ireland. That’s what the Syrian doctor told me. He […]
Sloukas surge sends Greece past Lithuania
In a game that was often lethargic and occasionally downright dull, a single burst by Kostas Sloukas changed the pace of affairs for good from the mid-point of the third onwards, forcing Lithuania and Greece into a fierce battle. Despite a fightback by the favourites, Emmet Ryan writes that Greece more than deserved their win […]
Ruthless Italy put a halt to Markkamania
Italy rained threes early and stamped on Finland’s neck to book their place in the quarter finals in a performance that was far more comprehensive than the final scoreline suggests. Emmet Ryan on how Nik Melli made life miserable for Lauri Markkanen as Italy played a grown up game to progress It wasn’t Helsinki but […]
Schroeder fights back to bring Germany past France
Dennis Schroeder couldn’t have started any colder but once he got hot, Germany rowed in right behind him. Emmet Ryan on how the guard found his moment and got a big helping hand from Daniel Theis to beat France and advance to the quarter finals of EuroBasket 2017 The build up to this was pretty […]