The eyes of European basketball are on Cork this week, as the Mardyke will host the FIBA Womens European Championships For Small Countries. It's a huge week for Irish women's basketball, and the support of the Irish sporting public will go a long way to determining whether the Girls In Green will be cutting down the Mardyke's nets on Sunday evening.
Cork is the spiritual home of Irish basketball and the tournament is certain to generate massive attention on Leeside. Here's everything you need to know about this thrilling competition.
Ireland's Opposition
Ireland have been drawn in Group B of this eight-team tournament with the following countries:
Group B
- Luxembourg
- Norway
- Cyprus
It's a tricky draw for Ireland. Ireland's curtainraiser against Norway is their biggest game of the group stage. Norway enter the tournament as something of an unknown quantity. A strong start against the Norwegians will help build solid momentum ahead of Ireland's game against Luxembourg on Wednesday evening. Ireland played Luxembourg in a friendly series last year, so both teams will be familiar with each other. Like Norway, Cyprus are also returning to the competition after an absence and will certainly provide difficult opposition.
Ireland's Fixtures
Ireland's games will be taking place around tea time on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with tip off each day at 18.15.
Here's Ireland games.
Tuesday: Norway v Ireland, 18.15
Wednesday: Ireland v Luxembourg, 18.15
Thursday: Ireland v Cyprus, 18.15
Saturday: semifinal (hopefully)
Sunday: final (hopefully)
Ireland's Team
The talk around the Mardyke in the days ahead of the tournament is that Ireland have the ability to win this tournament. That's not to heap unnecessary pressure on the Girls In Green, but just to say that under coach Mark Scannell, the Ireland team have really evolved. Glanmire stalwart Grainne Dwyer and Tipp native captains the Ireland. Ireland's star performer across the week may just be Edel Thornton, who is back from the States after ripping it up with Quinnipiac University in Connecticut this season. Thornton was front and centre as Quinnipiac made a run deep into the Women's NCAA tournament this year. In doing so Thornton became the first Irish basketball player to play in the Sweet 16 level of the NCAA Tournament.
With the likes of Dwyer and Thornton, Ireland can be considered real contenders for the FIBA Small Countries tournament.
Ireland's Support
That's you. If you're around Cork, get down to the Mardyke this week to back Ireland. The matches will also be streamed online so tweet your support if you're watching at home.
Watch the following video and get pumped!
The Mardyke is ready. Cork is ready. The Irish women's basketball team are ready for the #FIBASMALLCOUNTRIES tournament next week ☘️☘️☘️ pic.twitter.com/IVFz4PMCyQ
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) June 21, 2018
