EuroBasket pre-qualifier: Ireland 91 Luxembourg 85
Ireland’s Ryan Leonard in action against Oliver Vujakovic of Luxembourg during the Fiba EuroBasket 2029 pre-qualifier at the National Basketball Arena. Photo: Paul Phelan/Sportsfile
Michael Bree enjoyed his first competitive victory as Ireland head coach with his charges’ 91-85 victory over Luxembourg in their EuroBasket 2029 pre-qualifying clash at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.
His side may still be highly unlikely to advance into the second round of pre-qualifiers, but the Sligo man will be encouraged by this result after three defeats so far in the competition.
Ireland were not short of scorers despite missing Rapolas Buivydas and Sam Alajiki, who finished last Friday’s 76-75 defeat to Azerbaijan heavily his head bandaged up.
Seven-foot forward Neal Quinn led the Irish scorers with 22 points, while guard Ryan Leonard marked just his second EuroBasket match by adding a further 21.
The men in green showed a marked improvement in defence too. Luxembourg’s Ben Kovac put 38 past them in the corresponding away defeat last November but they managed to keep the forward to just 17 in Tallaght this time.
The victory was a memorable one for Jordan Blount who retired from international basketball in this format with this win after more than a decade with the senior side.
The visitors may have led 23-22 at the end of the first quarter but it was the only time they held the lead as Ireland were ahead 39-34 at half-time.
Bree’s men will now close out their campaign away against North Macedonia and Azerbaijan in July.
“I am delighted, the guys believed in what we’re trying to do and they executed brilliantly on the floor,” Bree said.
“I think we had a couple of possessions where we lost our way, but for the most part we were in control of what we were doing and what we were trying to do.
“Ryan Leonard was fantastic, Matt Zona fantastic, the guards getting rid of the ball was brilliant and it was a really great team performance, I am delighted for them.”