Women’s EuroBasket 2027 qualifier: Luxembourg 85 Ireland 73
Ireland’s Hazel Finn scored 15 points against Luxembourg. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Ireland face an uphill battle to make the second round of the Women’s EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers after an 85-73 defeat away to Luxembourg.
James Weldon’s side must win their remaining games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Israel to give themselves the best chance of advancing out of Group A.
Ireland, ranked 29 places behind the world No 54 side, trailed Luxembourg throughout and were 45-33 behind at half-time. Anne Simon and Dionne Madjo caused problems when Luxembourg beat Ireland 69-53 in Dublin last November, and again wreaked havoc in the Grand Duchy.
The duo scored 26 and 14 points, respectively, but it was Joyce Isi Etute who did the most damage, with 27 points and 19 rebounds.
Ireland were without Claire Melia, who had told the Irish Independent she was not injured, contradicting an earlier Basket Ireland statement. And they were not helped by a slow start, which left the hosts with a 22-17 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Abigail Rafferty and Hazel Finn led the Irish scorers with 17 and 15, respectively, but it was not enough to bridge the gap.
Ireland’s focus turns to Zenica on Saturday when they face Bosnia before their controversial tie with Israel in the neutral venue of Riga on St Patrick’s Day.