Ireland achieved their best ever finish at the FIBA U20 Youth EuroBasket, securing 5th place in Bratislava, Slovakia. Their 5-2 record was pieced together by some incredible performances across the board, most notably by Harry Scully and Victor Okojie who combined for over 200 points.
Head coach Thomas Walsh expressed his pride in the team after such a succesful campaign in Bratislava, praising their attitude on the big stage.
"To come away with a winning record at a FIBA Youth EuroBasket is challenging enough, but to come way with a 5-2 record is a testament to the character of these young men after two tough losses," said Thomas Walsh. "These players earned every bit of that historic 5th place finish. We are so proud of them."
North Macedonia, Sweden, Azerbaijan and Slovakia were drawn into Group A alongside Ireland, with each team understanding that a top two finish would secure a spot in the quarterfinal. Ireland kick-started their campaign with a 69-56 win over North Macedonia, where Victor Okojie recorded a monstrous 24 points. A loss against semi-finalists Sweden and convincing wins against Azerbaijan and Slovakia sent Ireland straight into the quarterfinals where Ukraine awaited them.
Ireland trailed by seven points at halftime against Ukraine, but the squad hit the third quarter running with clutch points from Declan Gbinigie, Fortune Igbokwe and Harry Scully to send Ireland in front by four. Ukraine’s Maksym Hryshchuk took charge of the game in the fourth, leading his squad to a ten-point victory, sending Ireland to the 5-8 classification games and eventually helping Ukraine reach the final.
Gustas Pocevicius starred for Ireland in their clash with Hungary in the 5-8 classification game, pulling Ireland into a 13-point lead before the final quarter. The Meath man boasted 21 points and 6 assists in Ireland’s win, guiding his country to the final classification game against Luxembourg.
Luxembourg and Ireland took similar paths to the final day, only losing to Sweden and Ukraine on the way. After Luxembourg took a two point lead in the first quarter, Ireland turned the screw and launched an incredible offensive display. Pocevicius, Gbinigie, Okojie, Scully and Igbokwe all reached double-digits in points, earning Walsh’s Ireland a fifth place finish.
FIBA U20 Youth EuroBasket Results
Group Phase
Ireland 69-56 North Macedonia
Ireland 90-58 Sweden
Ireland 54-47 Azerbaijan
Ireland 86-49 Slovakia
Quarterfinal
Ireland 72–62 Ukraine
5th-8th Classification Games
Ireland 88–79 Hungary
Ireland 85-69 Luxembourg
