Croatia too strong for Ireland in EuroBasket qualifier

Ireland were beaten 89-49 by the world number 25 ranked side Croatia in their FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers Round 3 opener in Opatija.

Neal Quinn impressed on his international debut with 12 points, and there were plenty of positives including the return from injury of John Carroll and a strong second half, where they outscored their opponents in the third quarter.

Ireland started well with a layup from 7ft centre Quinn, to take an early 2-0 lead. They were very much in the shake-up four minutes in, when Taiwo Badmus converted one of his two free throws to trail 7-3.

Croatia then went on a run of 15 points to put them in control, 22-3. Lorcan Murphy's layup stemmed the tide with two minutes to go in the quarter, however the hosts would lead 24-5 by the end of the first.

Ireland needed a fast start in the second quarter, but it was Croatia’s offence who had the upper hand, another 15 point run put them 39-5 up. Tony Perkovic’s three point jump shot completed that sequence, he’d finish with a game-high of 17 points. A long range three from CJ Fulton four minutes into the quarter finally got Ireland up and running in the second.

But Croatia had a firm grip of this game, Roko Badzim, who had 12 points by half-time, landed another three to put them 46-8 with 3’21" to go.

Quinn was Ireland’s leading light in the opening half with eight points, however Ireland’s offence in general struggled with a 22.5% conversion rate in the first half.

A Matt Treacy three, in the dying seconds of the second quarter helped close the gap to 53-17, but it was Croatia who had the last score of the half, thanks to Goran Filipovic’s lovely three point pull-up jump shot.

Head coach Mark Keenan would have been eager for a response after the break and