Ireland convincingly beaten by Swiss in Tallaght

Ireland 63-86 Switzerland

Ireland fell to a 86-63 defeat to Switzerland at the National Basketball Arena in their second Group A game of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European pre-qualifiers.

Ireland got within five points at the start of the third quarter, before the Swiss pulled clear at the finish to register their second win of the qualifiers and move top of the group.

It was Ireland's first ever FIBA Basketball World Cup home game and the first points of the contest came courtesy of a pair of Jordan Blount free throws.

The Swiss moved in front following an Anthony Polite three, to go 5-2 up; the away side would lead the contest throughout after that.

Ireland captain Sean Flood’s three and a fastbreak and layup from Lorcan Murphy had Ireland trailing 9-7 just before the midpoint. Flood landed his second from three point line with a little over two and a half minutes to go and Ireland were 16-12 behind at that stage.

Flood continued his bright start with a wonderful threaded pass to find Matt Treacy inside and his hook shot had Ireland 20-14 down. The final points of the quarter came from Natan Jurkovitz’s layup, the Swiss led 22-14.

Ireland sought a fast start to the second quarter and Neil Randolph helped provide it with a pair of baskets from the three point line, to cut the deficit to four points, 25-21, two minutes in. But the Swiss responded with a nine point run, Boris Mbala’s three among their scores to put them 34-21 up.

A Jordan Blount layup and Flood’s third from the three point line cut the deficit to nine, 36-27, with 3’17" to go in the quarter, but Switzerland would lead 41-29 by half-time.

Taiwo Badmus didn’t reappear for the second half due to concussion, it was a big loss for Ireland, but his teammates