The long wait for an away victory ended in Bosnia and Herzegovina and means Ireland could escape from Group A by finishing as one of the three best third-placed teams tonight.
However, even if James Weldon’s charges beat Israel, they may still need to rely on other games later tonight to advance.
Two recent wins after four years waiting for one is still a big milestone and the relief of that 81-78 win in Zenica on Saturday was palpable.
“It has been a tough week of travel and everything and they all remained so positive, the staff and the players have been incredible the last few days,” Weldon said after the win.
He continued, describing it as a “big step forward for the programme” while still on the court in Bosnia where Hazel Finn scored 21 points.
“I think on the back of that performance, these players deserve that [the second round]. Hopefully we can pull out another performance out of the bag on Tuesday.”
They face Israel as campaigners continue to call for a boycott of this game over the country’s military involvement in Gaza and the Middle East.
Hazel Finn in action for Ireland against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photo: Basketball Ireland
It’s clear that Basketball Ireland would prefer this game be played under a rock, even with the new significance that this game has taken on.
The association was granted its wish that this ‘home’ fixture be staged in the neutral venue of Latvia today, where the three previous games against Israel have been played.
And unlike other qualifiers last week, the behind-closed-doors clash will not be broadcast on the TG4 Player while pre-qualifier media was once again kept to a minimum.
Reminders of the previous diplomatic storm remain on the court as Dor Saar, the player that made unfounded claims of antisemitism against Ireland in February 2024, is still playing.
Their opponents have enjoyed good form as new head coach Shira Haelion – the country’s first female boss – has won all her games in this competition.
But Weldon’s charges ran Israel close here last November, leading for the first half before missing out by seven points in overtime (93-86).
They were without star forward Claire Melia that day too who again misses out. The Kildare woman corrected a Basketball Ireland statement which said she was injured last week.
Although no alternative reason was given, it’s assumed a certain unease remains about facing Israel given she has missed the previous three EuroBasket games.
At the start of the window, Weldon said that Ireland must play this game “for the future of the sport” as fines and bans remain for refusing to fulfil the fixture.
While that may be more relevant given the second round is in their grasp, the controversy remains given they face a country that has been accused of genocide by a UN-appointed commission of inquiry.
They will hope to put this all behind them with a win tonight.
Ireland v Israel, YouTube.com/Fiba, 4.30