Ireland dominant 96-76 winners over Luxembourg in FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifier

A dominant Ireland performance saw them claim a 96-76 away victory against Luxembourg in their FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifier on Wednesday. Aidan Harris Igiehon and Taiwo Badmus finished as joint top scorers with 20 points apiece. Igiehon sparkled throughout and was heading for a 100% conversion rate from the floor, only for a late three point attempt not to drop, the Clondalkin man also had five rebounds and steal. 

There were several fine performances, including from guards CJ Fulton and Sean Flood, who slotted 16 and 12 points respectively. Head coach Mark Keenan said he was “very proud” of his players adding, “We got a great contribution from the whole team, not just our starters, our bench was superb.”

Taiwo Badmus in action for Ireland against Luxembourg in a FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifier Round 3.

Ireland began with intent, a Badmus dunk was the first points on the board in the opening minute. His layup had Ireland 7-6 up at the midpoint of the first quarter. Aidan Harris Igiehon wasn’t in the starting five, but once introduced with three minutes to go in the first he made an immediate impact with eight points in the quarter, including his three point jump shot in the final seconds, to put Ireland 23-18 up. He’d have 10 points by half-time, landing all four of his attempts at the basket.

Ireland continued to keep their noses in front in the second quarter and had a 40-37 lead at the break. 

Igiehon had a strong start to the second half, including two dunks, the second of which saw the pumped up forward roar in celebration, as Ireland went 51-40 up three minutes into the third quarter. Luxembourg duly responded with a 10-point run, finished off by Bob Melcher’s layup.

Ireland didn’t panic and rattled off a 9-point run of their own, a layup from Flood, a three-point jump shot by Matt Treacy and a pair of layups from Badmus and Fulton saw Ireland 60-50 ahead. Flood had a fine quarter, his driving layup in the final seconds handed Ireland a 70-59 advantage going into the final quarter.

Ireland started the fourth quarter with a pair of layups, from Neal Quinn and Lorcan Murphy, to stretch the lead to 74-59. The Ireland coaching staff warned their players of a Luxembourg response during timeouts, but it didn’t materialise in the fourth. Igiehon came back onto the court and landed a layup and two free throws either side of a long range three from Fulton to put Ireland in control, 84-66, with 4’15 left on the clock. Fulton certainly had his eye in and landed his fourth from the three point line shortly afterwards.

Conor O’Sullivan came on with two minutes remaining to make his international debut. Meanwhile the away supporters, who were vocal throughout, sang olé, olé, olé with victory in sight. John Carroll’s layup in the final minute completed a 96-76 win.

Speaking afterwards, head coach Mark Keenan said: “We got our bit of a run, Luxembourg came back with a bit of a run, but look I am delighted away from home how the guys handled the pressure on the floor and kept their composure when the game was coming back tight. We got a great contribution from the whole team, not just our starters, our bench was superb. Overall very proud of the boys, coming off the back of last week’s game in Croatia we had to lift ourselves very quickly, so delighted. It’s a quick turnaround now for Croatia (at home on Saturday). Great win on the road, very proud of the boys.”

𝙁𝙐𝙇𝙇-𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀 ⚡️

See you all at a 𝙎𝙊𝙇𝘿 𝙊𝙐𝙏 National Basketball Arena this Saturday on @SportTG4. #Greenmeansgo ☘️ | @InsureMyVan_ie pic.twitter.com/o1K3dqiVLX

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) July 26, 2023

Irealand’s next game is against Croatia at 2.30pm on Saturday at the National Basketball Arena, followed by the return contest with Luxembourg on August 5^th, both of which will be broadcast live on TG4. Tickets for Ireland’s game with Croatia on July 29^th is sold out, however spectator tickets for the fixture with Luxembourg on August 5th can be purchased here.

Quarter scores:

Q1: 21-23, Q2: 37-40, Q3: 59-70, Q4: 76-96

Ireland:

John Carroll (5), Sean Flood (12), CJ Fulton (16), Conor Quinn (0), Conor O’Sullivan (0), Lorcan Murphy (2), Sam Alajiki (5), Taiwo Badmus (20), Matt Treacy (3), Jordan Blount (5), Aidan Harris Igiehon (20), Neal Quinn (8)

Luxembourg:

Malcom Kreps (0), Derek Wilson (0), Philippe Gutenkauf (10), Thomas Grun (11), Ben Kovac (9), Clancy Rugg (8), Ivan Delgado (0), Bob Melcher (15), Oliver Vujakovic (6), Alex Laurent (16), Yannick Verbeelen (0), Lou Demuth (1)

Ireland FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers Round 3

Group G results:

July 19th

Croatia 89-49 Ireland

July 26th

Luxembourg 76-96 Ireland

Ireland FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers Round 3

Group G fixtures:

July 29th

Ireland v Croatia, 1430, National Basketball Arena (Live on TG4)

August 5^th

Ireland v Luxembourg, 1930, National Basketball Arena (Live on TG4)