Irish must lift spirits in battle for bronze

THE national men’s basketball teams will be chasing bronze medals after losses at the ESB Arena yesterday. Ireland 4 went under to Pakistan, 33-25 in overtime and got a standing ovation from the huge crowd before Ireland 3, battling it out with division seven favourites Kazakhstan, lost 49-26.

The opening clash between Ireland 4 and Pakistan 1 was a game Ireland could and should have won for they dominated for long periods, exerting total control at times before they saw victory snatched from their grasp with just seconds on the clock.

When Pakistan’s top scorer, Tauheed Aziz, laid up for two points with half a minute remaining they were deep in foul trouble.