Ireland lose 90-54 to Israel in FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers

Ireland missed out on the chance to qualify for the second round of the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers, following a 90-54 defeat to Israel in their behind closed doors game in Riga Latvia on Tuesday.

Ireland’s 81-78 away victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina last Saturday meant they had a chance to secure one of the three best-ranked third-placed teams from seven groups, if they won their final Group A game.

Ireland opened the scoring with a pair of free throws, but Israel responded with a Dorian Dahan Sujic three and they would lead thereafter. Israel would be 29-8 up at the end of the opening quarter.

Ireland kept battling, a five-point run saw them trail 41-16 midway through the second quarter and James Weldon’s side would go in 48-21 behind at half-time.

Israel, who’d won all five qualifiers in this campaign prior to this fixture, kept the pressure on and they’d lead 75-36 by the end of the third. Ireland were much improved in the fourth quarter and outscored their opponents 18-15. Ireland finish third in the Group A table, with a 2-4 record.

Speaking afterwards Ireland women’s head coach, James Weldon, said: “We are all very disappointed that we did not put in the performance we wanted tonight. We were not happy with our start and to be fair Israel played extremely well. The squad is still relatively young and there will always be setbacks along the way. This stings and will for a while, but when the group looks back on the campaign as whole, we will see the overall progress.”

He added, “I want to thank all the staff and players who go above and beyond for to play for their country. Tonight does not change that we won two games in the campaign and the future is definitely very bright for these players.”

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 8-29, Q2: 13-19, Q3: 15-27, Q4: 18-15

Game Scores:

Q1: 8-29, Q2: 21-48, Q3: 36-75, Q4: 54-90

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers Group A Results

Wednesday 12th November

Ireland 53-69 Luxembourg

Saturday 15th November

Ireland 94-67 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Tuesday 18th November

Israel 93-86 Ireland

Wednesday 11th March

Luxembourg 85-73 Ireland

Saturday 14th March

Bosnia and Herzegovina 78-81 Ireland

Tuesday 17th March

Ireland 54-90 Israel