Ireland go on their shields six points behind Switzerland
They may have lost that last game of this first round of FIBA Eurobasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers by six points, but Ireland really fired up their shields after that heroic performance in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the National Stadium.
They had to beat Switzerland by 12 points to finish second in their group and had lost to them by 11 points last February, but this was a much closer game by any measure and Ireland determined at least half of it with a brilliant Defense and greatly improved shooting.
After getting an early 14-point lead in February, the Swiss started much stronger, leading twice by six points in the first quarter thanks to four of six three-point attempts – one each from CJ Fulton, Sean Flood, Will Hanley and Lorcan Murphy – with the latter yielding eight early points.
A spectacular rebound from the game’s top scorer, Taiwo Badmus, was among the highlights of the first quarter, but a brilliant Selim Fofana three-pointer gave Switzerland a spectacular first-break equalizer (25 apiece).
Ireland scored seven points without reply – a three-pointer play from Clondalkin’s Aidan Harris Igiehon and two ‘threes’ from Badmus – but then Switzerland’s renowned wingers hit their belts and lost four threes in the quarter, including three from the brilliant captain Roberto Kovac.
The Swiss were shooting 64% from the arc at that point, but Ireland weren’t far behind (61%), a massive improvement over their 25% win rate against Austria midweek and a couple more three-pointers from Blount and Badmus plus a A brilliant steal and dunk by Templogue star Murphy from a Swiss inbound kept Ireland a basketed lead at halftime (47-45).
Switzerland extended their greatest lead (nine points) in the third quarter, thanks to some outrageous three-pointers from their brilliant captain, who scored his sixth three-pointer, two more from Killian Martin and the increasing dominance of big Swiss center Arnaud in the color cotture.
But two spectacular interventions on the boards and five points from Neptune star Blount kept Ireland ahead, although Jonathan Kazadi pulled off another treble to leave Ireland 10 points at the end of the third (65-75).
Selim Fofana extended to 13 immediately after the restart, and yet the home side simply refused to fold in the defiant and spectacular final five minutes when brilliant blocks from local stars Murphy and Igiehon (from backboard) nearly lifted the roof off the court.
Even when Ireland committed a team foul with a minute left, they just wouldn’t give up.
The crowd was on their feet again as Igiehon took to the air to make a spectacular basket and Blount pulled out the third three of his 18 points. Playing despite a badly injured ankle, he still pulled out all the stops, including six rebounds and three steals, in one of his famously lively and inspirational performances.
Ultimately, Ireland were only overtaken by a team of spectacular outside shooters who hit 16 three-pointers and 66% from the free-throw line, but Mark Keenan’s side still have a shot at qualifying for 2025 as the defeated teams from that round progressed to a third Round start of qualifiers in August 2023.
He will likely still have some of the country’s rising young talents still available to do so, and the skill and heart his team showed in that game proved the decision to return to this higher level of European football after a 12-year absence to return, the right one was right.
Keenan’s decision to recall Will Hanley, who doesn’t even play club basketball at the moment, was also validated with his 10 points and defense in that game.
The cohesion and fighting spirit of the team was particularly impressive considering they lost not just one, but two captains last week with the absence of Kyle Hosford and the loss of his replacement John Carroll to cruciate ligament injury. This game included a halftime presentation to recognize Hosford for his seven years of international service.
T Badmus 23 J Blount 18 L Murphy 14 W Hanley 12 A Igiehon 7 CJ Fulton 5 S Flood 3.
Kovac R. 22, Kazadi J. 16, Martin K. 13, Cotture A. 12.