Masters

Jul 06 2025

Ireland F45 Masters team clinch 2nd place at FIMBA World Championships

Five Irish Masters teams competed in the FIMBA World Championships, across the past ten days in both Men's and Women's tournaments ranging from over 40 to over 65, in Ticino, Switzerland.

Ireland made the step up from last year’s success in the FIMBA European Championships in Pesaro to the world stage in Switzerland. The tournament came to a close on Sunday with the final games and the closing ceremony taking place at the FIMBA Village on Saturday -  both Irish women’s sides made a lasting impression on the tournament, claiming 2nd and 3rd place.

Our O45 women’s side had a mixed pool phase with a 64-49 opening loss to Germany but bounced back with a convincing 111-31 win against Brazil B. Ireland secured a  Round of 16 win against Germany and then knocked out the current hosts of the tournament, Switzerland, in the quarter-final, winning 70-46. Ireland progressed to the final after a 78-73 win against Brazil A but were unfortunately beaten against Germany, losing 71-51, bringing an end to an extremely successful campaign which saw them claim a silver FIMBA World Championships medal.

Ireland Women’s O40’s had a strong Pool A phase with convincing wins over Chile, Brazil B, and Columbia. They progressed to the Round of 16 with a hard-fought 58-50 win against the United Kingdom, before beating Estonia 43-34 in the quarter-final. They fell short of a place in the final, losing 48-73 to Italy, but they bounced back in the 3rd place playoff to secure a bronze medal with a 55-45 win, once again bringing an end to a very successful campaign.

The Ireland men's O40's team began their group phase with a 90-80 win against Georgia and swiftly followed that up with a 2nd pool phase win out of two with a convincing 70-34 win against Brazil C, progressing to the Round of 16 in Ticino. The O40 side were once again successful with a 78-57 win against Costa Rica but were unable to progress to the semi-finals, falling to a 92-67 loss against Germany. They finished sixth in the tournament following an 84-70 loss to Brazil in the 5-6th place classification game.

 Men's O40 player Mark Reynolds with his family on the Masters Media Day

Our men’s O50’s had a mixed Pool H, falling millimetres short against Australia, losing 74-75. They quickly bounced back with an 82-77 win against last year’s hosts, Italy, winning 82-77. Ireland were successful in the 13-16 classification, beating Austria 62-46 but fell short of securing 13th place against Austria, losing 46-62 – leaving them with a respectable 14th place finish in the tournament. 

The Irish men’s 65’s team got off to a strong start in Group G with a 58-53 win against Germany, and followed that up with a 43-38 win against Puerto Rico but fell agonisingly short against Italy in their final pool phase game, losing 49-50 to Italy. Ireland beat Chile in their first pool classification game against Chile, winning 61-42 but fell short in their second game, losing 44-63. They finished the tournament on a high note, beating Poland by a score of 72-54 in the 19-20th place classification game.

Ireland Women Over 40’s

Chile 34-55 Ireland, Pool A

Brazil B 28-88 Ireland, Pool A

Ireland 102-15 Columbia, Pool A

Ireland 58-50 United Kingdom, RO16

Ireland 43-34 Estonia, QF

Ireland 48-73 Italy, SF

Ireland 55-45 Mexico, ¾ PO

Ireland Women Over 45’s

Germany 64-49 Ireland, Pool C

Ireland 111-31 Brazil B, Pool C

Ireland 53-36 Germany, RO16

Ireland 70-46 Switzerland, QF

Brazil A 73-78 Ireland, SF

Germany 71-51 Ireland, Final

Ireland Men Over 40’s

Georgia 80-90 Ireland, Pool B

Ireland 70-34 Brazil C, Pool B

Ireland 78-57 Costa Rica, RO16

Ireland 67-92 Germany, QF

Ireland 70-84 Brazil, 5-6 Classification

Ireland Men Over 50’s

Ireland 74-75 Australia, Pool H

Italy B 77-82 Ireland, Pool H

Ireland 62-46 Austria, 13-16 Classification

Australia 54-43 Ireland, 13-14 Classification

Ireland Men Over 65’s

Germany 53-58 Ireland, Pool G

Ireland 43-38 Puerto Rico, Pool G

Italy 50-49 Ireland, Pool G

Chile 42-61 Ireland, Pool Classification Game

Chile 63-44 Ireland, Pool Classification Game

Ireland 72-54 Poland, 19-20 Classification



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