Ireland secure quarter-final spot at FIBA U18 Women's European Championship

Ireland have secured a place in the quarter-finals of the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship following a narrow 58-55 win over Great Britain in Bulgaria.

It sets up a final round-robin game against Bosnia & Herzegovina on Wednesday evening that will determine who will advance as top seeds from Group ‘B’. Regardless of the outcome of that game, Ireland will face a knockout game against either Iceland, Netherlands or Croatia from Group ‘A’.

Ireland picked up where they left off against Norway in their opening game and raced into a 12-3 lead at the end of the first. Emma Tolan continued to make her presence felt inside, while captain Rebecca Sexton, Ava Walshe and Grace Prenter all found their range early on in the contest.

Great Britain roared into life in the second though, outscoring Ireland 22-6 in the ten-minute stretch. Ireland were forced into some tough contested shots, an early Lucy Devoy jump shot combined with Tolan’s 5^th and 6^th made free-throws and a late three from Sexton all they could muster as they trooped back to the locker room 25-18 in arrears.

There’s plenty of experience on the Irish bench between head coach Tommy O’Mahony, Liam Culloty and Irish international Edel Thornton and the messages they imparted to their players at the break paid dividends quickly. Ireland went on an 8-0 run to begin the half and nosed back in front 26-25 through a pull-up jump shot from Prenter with 8:03 on the clock. Great Britain battled back and the teams’ traded blows until Ireland made a crucial stand with back-to-back three point shots from Tolan and Katie O’Sullivan towards the end of the quarter and suddenly, Ireland had a 43-36 entering the last period.

Couldn’t be more proud of this group ☘️

2/2 ✅

Their final group game will take place against 🇧🇦 Wednesday at 6:30pm.#Greenmeansgo ☘️| @OhmgWater pic.twitter.com/WlDevbAM0a

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) July 2, 2023

Another 8-0 run ensued at the start of the fourth quarter. This time it was Great Britain who showed they weren’t going down without a fight. Caitlin Gloeckner steadied the ship with a corner three to bring Ireland level 46-46 with 6:23 left in the game and in the end, it was Ireland’s prowess from range under pressure that would make the difference. Tolan and Prenter both made their second three-point shots of the contest down the stretch and a very composed final play saw Ireland grind out the 58-55 win.

Ireland’s stout defence will be as satisfying for the coaching team as the grit they showed down the stretch. Great Britain found a total of five shots blocked in the game but all at important moments. Clara Boyce, O’Sullivan and Tolan all coming up big. All eyes now turn to their final Group ‘B’ game against Bosnia at 6:30pm on Wednesday.

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