International

Aug 06 2026

Preview: FIBA U16 Women’s Youth EuroBasket in Ioannina, Greece

The Ireland U16 WNT have arrived in Ioannina, Greece for the FIBA U16 Women’s Youth EuroBasket 2026. They will tip off their tournament against Denmark on August 6th, with the games being broadcast live on FIBA's YouTube Channel.

OUR OPPOSITION

Ireland, who are currently ranked 70th in the world, have been drawn into Group E of Division B for the FIBA U16 Women’s Youth EuroBasket, where they will compete against Denmark (65th) and the home nations Greece (39^th).

Due to a delay in confirming a host country for the tournament, FIBA Europe announced earlier this year that the FIBA U16 Women's Youth EuroBasket 2026 will be run as a series of mini-tournaments. Ireland will feature in a six-team competition along with Denmark, Greece, Great Britain, Iceland and Norway. Two teams will advance to the semi-final stage from each of Group E and Group F, with one team gaining promotion to Division 'A' for the following year.

Ireland U16 WNT head coach Paul O’Brien expressed the squads excitment ahead of the opening fixture, following their extensive preparation for the tournament.

"We are really looking forward to getting our tournament started tonight against a tough Danish team. The girls have worked extremely hard over the course of the programme to put themselves in the best position to compete. The mood is great and we are all itching to get started," said Paul O'Brien.

"Representing Ireland is an incredible honour and I have no doubt that the girls will compete and put in the effort that has become synonymous with Irish teams over the years."

SQUAD NEWS

Portlaoise Panthers' Katie Rose Harrison, Robyn Walsh of Limerick Celtics and Killester BC pair Ayotade Ademokun and Sorcha Kelly bring previous experience at this level, featuring in O'Brien's squad that traveled to Turkey a year ago.

Fresh from a runners-up performance at the AIG U16 Girls All-Ireland Club Championship, Dublin Lions co-captains Aoife Courtney and Avie-Leigh McGonagle are included, as well as team-mate Mia Dunne.

Elsewhere, a third Killester BC star Ciara Zurawska is selected, while there are also FIBA Youth EuroBasket debuts for Jessica Bree (Meteors BC) and Sarah Horkan (Limerick Sport Huskies). Naiya Turner (Bethel Park High School, Pittsburgh) is the sole player selected who currently plays outside of Ireland.

LAST TIME OUT

Ireland were drawn into a five-team group in 2025, where the FIBA U16 Youth EuroBasket Division B was held in Istanbul, Turkey. Ireland were drawn into a strong group, alongside bronze medallists Türkiye, fourth place finishers Switzerland, Austria and Iceland.

Following their group stage defeats, Ireland played out their 17-19 classification games against Azerbaijan and North Macedonia. A narrow two-point loss to Azerbaijan gave Ireland a boost for their final game, where they produced a statement 63-53 win over North Macedonia. Laura Buckley, Shekinah Djoussa and Robyn Walsh reached double-digit scoring on the day to help Ireland claim 17^th for the tournament.

IRISH SQUAD

Aoife Courtney (Dublin Lions), Avie Leigh McGonagle (Dublin Lions), Ayotade Ademokun (Killester BC), Ciara Zurawska (Killester BC), Jessica Bree (MeteorsBC), Katie Rose Harrison (Portlaoise Panthers), Mia Dunne (Dublin Lions), Naiya Turner (Bethel Park High School, Pittsburgh), Robyn Walsh (Limerick Celtics), Sarah Horkan (Limerick Sport Huskies), Siun Kelly (Limerick Celtics), Sorcha Kelly (Killester).