All you need to know: Ireland v Czech Republic

Ireland play Czech Republic in their final FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 Group I Qualifier on Thursday at 1600. It takes place at The Kraklova Arena in Prague, with live coverage on TG4 starting at 1555.

THE STORY SO FAR

Ireland began their campaign in November 2021, facing the Dutch in Amsterdam. That game finished in an 82-60 defeat for James Weldon’s team. An encouraging performance for a squad stepping up to a new level of competitive basketball. Three days later, we welcomed the Czech Republic to Dublin in what ultimately was a second defeat for the team at the National Basketball Arena.

Ireland’s best performance thus far came in the reverse fixture with The Netherlands in November, an agonising 59-56 game during which James Weldon’s team amassed a 24-point lead at one stage in the contest.

Claire Melia has been Ireland’s most effective scorer in qualifying, averaging 15-points, 9-rebounds and 3.7-assists to date. Dayna Finn and Edel Thornton have been equally impressive.  Finn is averaging 5-rebounds with an efficiency rating of 9. Thornton has 9.7 ppg to go with 3.3-assists.

Speaking shortly after arriving in Prague, head coach James Weldon said: "We had a good initial sesssion. Good to get here and the girls put in an excellent effort there to get acclimatised and get their bearings in a fabulous arena here , so we are just really looking forward to the week ahead now. It helps that there's a bit of continuity in it and the chemistry between them is growing every day. I'm very excited to see what that can bring to us."

𝙉𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙒𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 👀

A look at who’ll wear what # when Ireland take to the court for their FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 Qualifier against 🇨🇿 on Thursday.

A huge week starts now ⚡️#Greenmeansgo ☘️ | #Basketball pic.twitter.com/GuSPrqV7Q6

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) February 6, 2023

PERMUTATIONS

Group I was reduced to three teams following the removal of Belarus from the group by the FIBA Europe Executive Committee. The team who finishes top of the group standings will advance to the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023. 

Ireland are currently 3^rd in the standings and out of contention for direct qualification for the tournament from the group. Our opponents currently sit in second. Victory against Ireland would go a long way to ensuring their qualification for the tournament ahead of their meeting with The Netherlands in the final group game.

WATCH

The game will be broadcast live on TG4, with coverage starting at 1555 and tip-off at 1600.

SQUAD NEWS

Mia Furlong and Sarah Hickey will make their competitive debuts if they feature against The Czech Republic. Furlong comes into the squad in place of DCU Mercy’s Rachel Huijsdens, who misses out on this window due to educational commitments.

OPPOSITION VIEW

The Czech Republic sit in second place in Group I, with an unblemished record after two games. Victory against Ireland would set up a winner take all clash for them against The Netherlands in the final group game.

The Czech Republic have qualified for the last 14 FIBA Women’s EuroBasket tournaments in a row. They’ve replaced their head coach since Ireland’s last meeting with them in November 2021, Stefan Svitek replaced by Czech basketball Hall of Famer, Romana Ptáčková. There has also been a switch in her assistant coaches, Tomáš Holešovský will be replaced by Petr Treml for this window.

She will be without her leading scoring against Ireland. Julia Reisingerova, who is averaging 15-points, 5.5-rebounds and 1-assist per game is injured, as are Kateřina Rokošová, Veronika Šípová and Petra Malíková.

Speaking ahead of the game, Ptáčková said: "We have to approach the first game against Ireland with the fact that we are still favourites, although the Irish's home game against the Netherlands in November and their improved performance means a thumbs up for us. And I hope the players were watching. The Irish play very fiercely and hard, when they concrete the defined territory, so it won't be easy, but we have to manage it,"

IRELAND WOMEN’S TEAM ROSTER

Ciara Bracken (Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics), Michelle Clarke (Killester), Dayna Finn (Trinity Meteors), Bridget Herlihy (Mark Basket Marbo Kinna, Sweden), Sarah Hickey (Waterford Wildcats), Mia Furlong (The Address UCC Glanmire), Claire Melia (Trinity Meteors), Áine O’Connor (Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics), Orla O’Reilly (Waverly Falcons, Australia), Edel Thornton (Singleton SuperValu Brunell) (captain), Hannah Thornton (DCU Mercy), Sorcha Tiernan (Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics).