All You Need To Know: Ireland v Azerbaijan

Ireland play our third FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Qualifier this evening. The Group A fixture against Azerbaijan takes place in the National Basketball Arena at 19:30 Irish time, with live coverage on the TG4 Player and app, as well as the FIBA YouTube Channel.

COMPETITION FORMAT

Ireland have made a difficult start to Group A in FIBA EuroBasket 2029 qualifying, with defeats in our opening two group games against Luxembourg and North Macedonia in November 2025. Michael Bree's side come into the contest against a familiar foe in Azerbaijan, whom we have won our last two meetings against in FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying. Luxembourg will make the trip to Dublin on Sunday. 

Four teams - the three group winners and the best-ranked runners-up will advance to the Second Round where they will join eight teams from the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers First Round.

Looking ahead to the campaign, Head Coach Michael Bree said: 

“I am really excited to start my tenure as Ireland head coach, my staff did a great job during the summer in the friendly games against Norway, which have provided ideal preparation for our FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Qualifiers next week. We have assembled a strong squad, with plenty experience and I’m really looking forward to working with the players, as we look to hit the ground running in our first game of the campaign away against Luxembourg”, Bree said.

WATCH

The game will be broadcast live on the TG4 Player here with tip-off at 1930.

SQUAD NEWS

Eoin Nelson and Sean Fitzpatrick are in line for their first Ireland caps, while Ryan Leonard could make his FIBA EuroBasket debut. American-born Eli Brooks misses out, he is unavailable due to delay in his paperwork being processed. CJ Fulton, who is playing in the G-League with Minnesota Wolves’ reserve team Iowa Wolves, is set for his first Ireland appearance since August 2023. Rapolas Buivydas misses out on today's game due to injury. 

OPPOSITION VIEW

Azerbaijan also lost their opening two group games in North Macedonia and at home to Luxembourg. Their player to watch is Wesley van Beck is averaging 19.5 points per game and six boards in their first two contests. Van Beck is a quick and skilled guard who likes to shoot off the dribble. Ireland being able to shut him down will go a long way to  deciding the outcome of this game.

IRELAND MEN’S TEAM ROSTER

Jordan Blount (Flexachem KCYMS), Rapolas Buivydas (Belfast Star), CJ Fulton (Iowa Wolves), Sean Flood (unattached), Sean Fitzpatrick (UCD Marian), Ryan Leonard (Limerick Sport Eagles), Sam Alajiki (Hapoel Galil Elion, Israel), Matt Zona (Cheshire Phoenix, UK), Neal Quinn (BCM Gravelines Dunkerque, France), Adrian O’Sullivan (Ballincollig), Eoin Nelson (Energywise Ireland Neptune), James Gormley (Griffth College Éanna).