Ireland’s men’s 3×3 basketball team will return to the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Finals for the second year in a row after a dramatic weekend of qualification in Kosovo, capped by a 21-13 win over Cyprus in the final.
The victory secures Ireland’s place in Antwerp, Belgium, this September, where the 11th edition of the European Championships for basketball’s 3×3 format will take place.
There was almost a double success story as well, with Ireland’s women reaching the final of their qualifying event before being edged out 21-20 by Azerbaijan, last year’s Europe Cup runners-up, in a superb contest.
The timing could hardly be better for developing the game at home. Basketball Ireland and ForeFront Sports are preparing a summer roadshow of 3×3 tournaments around the country, bringing the short, sharp version of the sport to more players and communities. The performances in Kosovo will add a strong international storyline to that campaign.
Ireland’s men, coached by Darren McGovern, were drawn in a group with Cyprus and hosts Kosovo, knowing one win would be enough to reach the semi-finals. Cyprus edged the opening game 21-19, but Ireland responded later in the day with an 18-16 win over Kosovo to keep their qualification hopes alive.
They then produced their best basketball of the weekend when it mattered most.
Albania awaited in the semi-finals, and Ireland took control in a 21-15 win, driven by a standout display from Matt Treacy, who landed six scores from beyond the arc.
That set up a second meeting of the weekend with Cyprus, a side Ireland had also faced in the 2025 FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Qualifier.
The final began slowly, with both sides feeling their way into the contest before Jordan Blount put Ireland on the scoreboard after two minutes. From there, Ireland grew in confidence. Ryan Leonard, Lucien Christofis and Treacy all added key scores as McGovern’s team pushed clear to win 21-13 and secure their place in Belgium.
Treacy’s impact across the weekend was recognised with the Finals MVP award, underlining his central role in Ireland’s qualification.
This will be Ireland’s second successive appearance at the European Cup Finals, having qualified for the first time last year. It is another important step for a programme that is beginning to build consistency on the European stage.
Ireland’s women also delivered an impressive campaign.
Niamh Dwyer’s team opened against Kosovo, with the winners moving on to face Cyprus in the semi-finals. Claire Melia and Hazel Finn led the way with seven points each as Ireland cruised to a 21-8 win.
The semi-final performance was even more emphatic, Ireland looking sharp and confident as they beat Cyprus 21-9 to reach the final.
There they faced Azerbaijan, one of the leading teams in Europe and runners-up in last year’s FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup. Ireland’s quartet of Claire Melia, Maura Fitzpatrick, Hazel Finn and Abigail Rafferty pushed them all the way, producing a brave and high-quality performance before losing by the narrowest possible margin, 21-20.
It was a tough finish, but also a strong statement from a women’s team looking to return to the Europe Cup Finals for the first time since 2015.
The FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup brings together 12 teams that qualify either through their FIBA World Ranking or through qualifying events held during the year. The format is fast, physical and made for momentum. Games are played on a half court, with three players per team, a 12-second shot clock and a 10-minute game clock. The first team to 21 wins, or the team in front when time expires.
The importance of qualification extends beyond this September’s finals. Ranking points earned through these competitions feed into the wider international pathway, including qualification for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup and the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
That gives added weight to Ireland’s men booking their place in Antwerp, and to the women coming within a single point of doing the same.
It also gives Basketball Ireland and ForeFront Sports a powerful platform as they prepare to take 3×3 to venues across the country this summer. The format is accessible, energetic and well-suited to event-style competition, and Ireland’s performances in Kosovo show there is now a credible high-performance story to sit alongside the participation push.
Antwerp will be the next test for the men’s team in September. Before then, the summer roadshow will offer a chance to bring some of that European momentum home.
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