McGovern sees bright future for 3x3 as Ireland bow out of the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup

Ireland took on Latvia and Lithuania at the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup in Antwerp, Belgium, competing in the tournament for a second consecutive year. Following the two defeats, head coach Darren McGovern spoke about the influence of these tournaments on the 3x3 scene in Ireland.

“Playing at the highest level of European international 3x3 is a massive achievement for this group. We have put in a good body of work on and off the court to keep 3x3 building in Ireland. It's a sport we can certainly develop and knock down some doors to one day win games here at the FIBA 3x3Europe Cup,” said McGovern.

"I want to thank the players this season. It's up to them to make sure they are ready to go again next year at Qualifiers as we have targets on our backs there."

Jordan Blount clinched a tournament double-double, racking up 11 points and rebounds over the two games. The squad remained unchanged from the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup Qualifiers in Kosovo, where Darren McGovern also selected Matt Treacy, Ryan Leonard and Lucien Christofis.

Treacy and Blount took to the court in Copenhagen in 2025 for the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup alongside Sean Jenkins and John Carroll, where Ireland lost out to previous 3x3 Olympic champions Latvia and Netherlands. This year, Leonard and Christofis accompanied the veterans having previously played together with the Dublin 3x3 team.

Ryan Leonard at the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup in Antwerp, Belgium

Ireland drew the 2026 FIBA 3x3 World Cup champions Latvia and the defending FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup Champions Lithuania in Pool C of the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup. The top two teams were guaranteed a spot in the quarter-finals, meaning one win was enough to progress.

Latvia opened the scoring in game one with a lay-up by Kristaps Gluditis, only for Treacy to put Ireland ahead with a two-pointer, coming off the back of a Leonard block. Christofis and Leonard secured the next three Irish buckets, knocking down shots from beyond the arc. Latvia began to stretch the lead after the midway point, eventually taking a 19-12 lead with only two minutes to play. Treacy’s consolation lay-up in the final minute wasn’t enough as Latvia made it 21-15 with four seconds left.

Lithuania awaited Ireland in game two, with the Baltic side coming into the tournament in third seed. Lithuania took an early 3-0 lead inside the first minute, before Blount replied with Ireland’s first point. Blount’s turnaround two levelled the game up at 4-4, but Evaldas Šaulys’ lay-up gave Lithuania a one-point lead at the first timeout. The highlight of the game came at the five minute mark, when Blount found Treacy with a behind the head pass in the paint, narrowing Ireland’s deficit to six. Lithuania kept the pressure on, and ultimately won the game with a two-pointer to make it 21-9.