Ireland complete rollercoaster comeback to win 76-70 against Azerbaijan

Ireland ended their FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-qualifying campaign with a 76-70 win against Azerbaijan in Baku, recovering from a 15-point first half deficit to give Michael Bree a first win on the road as head coach. Sean Flood caught fire in the second half to finish with a 25-point haul on the night Ballincollig Basketball Club's Adrian O’Sullivan hit a milestone 50 appearances for his country, leading the team out in a hostile atmosphere in the South Caucasus.

After going down by 15 points in the second quarter, Ireland dug deep to come away six point winners in Baku. Sam Alajiki followed up his 20 point performance against North Macedonia with a 19 point display against Azerbaijan, while Ben Stevens clocked 11 points from the post. The win is not enough for Ireland to advance to the next phase of FIBA EuroBasket 2029 qualifying, that fate was confirmed in Skopje on Thursday, but that will not take the gloss of an important win for the programme.

Adrian O’Sullivan was incredibly proud of the performances of the Irish rookies and is grateful to be able to wear the Irish jersey.

“I’m really, really proud of all the younger boys on the team. It’s their first away win in their first or second cap,” said O’Sullivan. “I’m just really proud of their effort and their grit. There’s some great young players around and the future’s definitely bright. If that’s it from me, then what a way to go out. I’m really happy for the staff and incredibly grateful for the opportunity as always.”

Azerbaijan opened the scoring with two free-throws from their danger-man Wesley Van Beck, only for Sean Flood to answer with a midrange jumpshot. Victor Okojie, Sam Alajiki and Ben Stevens widened the lead to four at the midway point, but Ireland hit five fouls after five minutes to allow Azerbaijan back in the game.

A Stevens steal in his own half set Ireland up for a fast-break and the score went to 7-12 to Ireland. Orhan Haciyeva hit a fadeaway two to put the home side ahead with less than four minutes to go in the quarter. Van Beck’s contested three over Adrian O’Sullivan forced Michael Bree to call a timeout with 1:49 on the clock. Shirzad Shirzadov’s fast break lay-up gave Azerbaijan a 23-12 lead going into the second quarter.

After finishing the scoring in the first, Shirzadov started the scoring in the second, turning the ball over and laying up for two. Emmanuel Agbason extended the home team’s lead with a slam-dunk but  Tiernan Stynes replied well with a three down the other end. Bree’s timeout call came after three minutes, with Ireland trailing by 15 points, 30-15.

Stynes found his rhythm from range with a three from the wing, before Alajiki scored three from four free-throws to bring Ireland back within nine. Ireland scored ten unanswered points, keeping Azerbaijan quiet for over four minutes and closing the gap to five in the process. With both teams in foul trouble, Alajiki and Haciyeva scored two from two at the line with only 1:50 to go. Flood’s bucket under the basket brought the first half to a close, 35-31 to Azerbaijan.

Ben Stevens lays up against Azerbaijan in the FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers in Baku

Okojie’s driving lay-up secured Ireland the first points of the second half, before Flood’s bucket drew the sides level. Kamran Mammadov and Agbason got the home team back in front, combining for five points. A big Alajiki three got Ireland back within range of Azerbaijan, but Van Beck’s deep three put Azerbaijan eight ahead.

Flood knocked down a central three at 4:54 to bring the score to 49-44 in Azerbaijan’s favour. Stynes’ three and Flood’s lay-up drew the sides level for the third time at 49-49, causing Azerbaijan to call a time-out. Alajiki got the away crowd up on their feet with a put-back dunk to put Ireland back in front. Two three’s from Akbarov set Azerbaijan up well for the final quarter, putting his side up 55-53.

Leeory Odiahi rose highest in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter to throw the ball down and draw Ireland level again. The Irish team looked full of confidence with Okojie joining the dunk party and placing Ireland in front. Ireland found themselves in foul trouble again, committing five by 7:13. Van Beck, Mammadov and Haciyeva got Azerbaijan back ahead, but Stevens and Flood responded under the hoop to make it a one-point game at 4:50, 64-63 to Azerbaijan.

Akbarov’s three widened the lead, but Alajiki’s corner three at 3:35 put Ireland back within two. Ireland went back ahead 68-72 following six unanswered points by Flood, forcing another nervy timeout by Azerbaijan. An alley-oop from Flood was met high in the sky by Leeroy Odiahi, allowing Ireland to extend their lead with less than a minute left. Flood’s two free throws with only 16 seconds left sealed the game for Ireland, winning 70-76 in Baku.

 Ireland’s chances of progression to the next round of FIBA EuroBasket 2029 qualifying ended in Skopje on Thursday night, after a defeat to North Macedonia who topped Group A.

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 23-12, Q2: 12-19, Q3: 20-22, Q4: 15-23

Game Scores:

Q1: 23-12, Q2:35-31, Q3: 55-53, Q4: 70-76

Ireland:

Max Amadasun (0), Rapolas Buivydas (0), Sean Flood (0), Sean Fitzpatrick (25), Sam Alajiki (19), Declan Gbinigie (0), Aivaras Uosis (0), Ben Stevens (11), Adrian O’Sullivan (0), Tiernan Stynes (11), Leeroy Odiahi (4), Victor Okojie (6)

Azerbaijan

Emmanuel Agabason (9), Wesley Van Beck (21), Akbar Mammadov (0), Orhan Haciyeva (6), Ulas Turgut (4), Jabrayil Akbarov (13), Amil Hamzayev (2), Kamran Mammadov (11), Ercan Donat (0), Derin Berkoz (0), Endar Poladkhanli (0), Shirzad Shirzadov (4)

FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers Results

Thursday 27th November, 2025

Luxembourg 89-77 Ireland

Sunday 30th November, 2025

Ireland 76-88 North Macedonia

Friday 27th February, 2026

Ireland 75 - 76 Azerbaijan

Monday March 2nd, 2026

Ireland 91 - 85 Luxembourg

Thursday July 2nd, 2026

North Macedonia 77 - 56 Ireland

Sunday July 5^th, 2026

Azerbaijan 70 - 76 Ireland