Ireland rally for comeback victory over Luxembourg

Ireland 79-76 Luxembourg

Ireland dug deep to secure a dramatic come-from-behind win over Luxembourg at a sold-out National Basketball Arena and secure second spot in Group G of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers.

There were several big performances from the squad, notably from Jordan Blount who finished with 16 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. CJ Fulton also caught the eye, picking up 16 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Ireland certainly didn't have it their own way. They lost the influential Blount for the closing stages and trailed by a point with a minute to go, but still emerged victorious.

Ireland made an excellent start with Fulton scoring five points in the opening two minutes - a pair of free throws and a three-point jump shot – which helped put Ireland 8-4 ahead. Ireland were 17-8 up near the midpoint, after some swift link-up play set Sean Flood up for a three, followed by Neal Quinn landing a turnaround jump shot shortly afterwards.

Luxembourg called a timeout, but Ireland continued to find joy from the three-point line, Taiwo Badmus and another from Fulton leaving them 23-10 in front.

Luxembourg dragged themselves back into the contest, but Flood had the last points of the quarter to put Ireland 29-20 up. The visitors however had momentum and they took the lead, 31-30, in the fourth minute of the second quarter through Axel Laurent’s lay-up.

Ireland offence wasn’t having much joy in the second quarter. A five-point run by Jordan Blount helped get Ireland back level at 36-36 but eight seconds later Luxembourg captain Laurent converted from the three-point line.

Fulton converted a much-needed three with 13 seconds to go in the half, which saw Ireland behind 43-41 at half-time, Fulton’s tally at 11