International

Jul 02 2026

Preview: FIBA U20 Women's Youth EuroBasket 2026 in Samokov, Bulgaria

Ireland will take flight to Samokov, Bulgaria for the FIBA Women's Youth EuroBasket 2026 this week, as they begin their tournament on Saturday, July 4th. They take on Azerbaijan in their opening contest, with the games being broadcast live on FIBA's YouTube Channel and also on the Basketball Ireland website.

OUR OPPOSITION

Ireland will compete in Division B of the FIBA U20 Women's Youth EuroBasket 2026, alongside thirteen other nations seeking promotion to Division A. Ireland, who are currently ranked 70th in the world, were drawn into a group alongside Albania (98th), Greece (39th) and Azerbaijan (77th).

They will play three matches over three days starting on July 4th, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the quarter-finals. The third, fourth and fifth placed teams will go into the 9-14th classification games.

"We had five preparation games last week and played two games in the arena where the tournament is held. We also played two games here last year so the girls are really familiar with it," explained head coach Karl Kilbride. "Our preparation has been as good as we could have hoped or expected. We don't know anything about Azerbaijan because this is the first time they have entered an U20 team. Usually you'd have a lot of information and you get to see games of teams you're playing, but that won't be the case with Saturday. Our first goal is to win that first game, give ourselves the best chance of getting to a quarterfinal, and from there progressing on hopefully towards a medal."

SQUAD NEWS

Ireland U20 WNT head coach Karl Kilbride has included three experienced players who featured in last years FIBA U20 Women's Youth EuroBasket - Grace Prenter (University of Texas), Emma Tolan (University of Oklahoma) and Ava Walshe (Brunell BC).

Trinity Meteors, the Domino's Women's Super League winners, will have two representatives in Aisling Moran and Helena Keane. There will be two FIBA Youth EuroBasket debutants taking to the court, being Aimee O'Reilly from Kilkenny Stars and Mia McEntee from Dublin Raiders.

Aoibheann Donnelly will have a busy summer, playing with the Ireland U18's and U20's. as the 17 year old received a call-up to both rosters. The squad includes eleven different teams, with nine from Ireland and two from USA.

"Our Strength and Conditioning coach, Sean, has put the girls through hell over the last couple of months to make sure that they're ready for the altitude here and ready to play at the pace we want to play at. The dedication and the effort they put in has been fantastic," said Kilbride. "We're so lucky to have Helena Keane and Sophie Staunton who are going to Division 1 schools in September, and Grace (Prenter) and Emma (Tolan) are also in huge Division 1 schools. We have Super League and National League talent and starters up and down the roster, so we're really excited with the group that we have."

LAST TIME OUT

In 2025, Ireland were drawn into Group B of the FIBA U20 Youth EuroBasket Division B with the Ukraine and Great Britain. A 71-67 win against Ukraine and a 56-52 win against Great Britain sent Ireland straight to the Group E Qualifying Round.

Losses against Serbia and Bulgaria placed Ireland in the 5th-8th classification games. Ireland were agonisingly close to beating Greece in their first match, but a loss gave them a chance at earning seventh place against Ukraine. Isabael O'Sullivan stepped up for 33 points while Grace Prenter racked up 16 points in a 66-58 win for Ireland, awarding them seventh place at the 2025 FIBA U20 Youth EuroBasket.

IRELAND SQUAD

Aimee O'Reilly (Kilkenny Stars), Aisling Moran, (Trinity Meteors), Aoibheann Donnelly (Cleveland Rockets), Ava Walshe (Brunell BC), Clara Boyce (Liffey Celtics), Emma Tolan (University of Oklahoma), Faye McDonnell (Glanmire BC), Grace Prenter (University of Texas), Helena Keane (Trinity Meteors), Mia McEntee (Dublin Raiders), Sarah Courtney (Killester BC), Sophie Staunton (McEvoy's Cavan Eagles).