Ireland finally wear down brave Cyprus

IT WAS always going to be close but it took two hours and 34 minutes and two periods of overtime for Ireland to achieve a five point victory over Cyprus in a European championship semi-final round tie at The Mardyke Arena in Cork last night.

Ireland led 23-17 at the end of the first quarter, 50-36 and coasting at half-time and were still 15 points clear at the end of the third quarter.

That was when the visitors, with point guard Palalas Giorgos and Liatsos Alexis up front in spectacular form, launched the comeback that had them level at 79 points each at full time.

The sides were level again 88 points apiece at the end of the first period of extra time and it took a spectacular finish from the home side to see them through.

Cal Bowdler hit 16 points in the first half but it was the quality of the play from a disciplined Irish team that was impressive.

Ireland began well and edged clear with big three pointers from Jay Larranga and Jim Moran. Bowdler added two from the free throw line and Ireland led 8-0 after just a minute and a half.

But Cyprus battled back to lead 13-14 before Bowdler came up to restore the status quo with another slam dunk.

Ireland led 23-17 at the end of the quarter.

The second quarter saw Cyprus press forward but Mitchell, Conlon and Sekunda were giving nothing away under the basket. With Conlon, Larranga and Moran rampant and Bowdler again finding his range from the free throw line, Ireland led 50-36 at half time.

Cyprus battled back on the resumpion through two quick baskets but Bowdler slammed another dunk and Larranaga was once again deadly accurate with his third three pointer as Ireland kept their composure for a 66-51 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Cyprus came out for he fourth quarter with all guns blazing and cut away at Ireland’s lead. With Giorgos and Alexis in rampant form, Panayiotis made it a one point game before Larranaga, on four fouls, nipped in to score a valuable basked with just over two minutes on the clock.

But Cyprus were not to be denied and Alexis raced through to score a basket at the death to tie the game at 79 points apiece and send the game into overtime.

Bowdler was fouled on the resumption and popped both to restore Ireland’s lead before Garcia quickly tied it again. Giorgos gave Cyprus the lead for the second time from the line before Chistodoulos picked up his fifth foul and Cal Bowdler scored both free throws to put Ireland a point in front.

With less than a minute on the clock a steal under the boards sent Giorgios up and he gave Cyprus the lead once again.

With just over a second left on the clock the referee gave a throw-in. Ireland won the ball through Sekunda who was fouled and levelled the game with his first throw. But he Excitement continued to mount as Cyprus, under pressure, got possession from a free throw at the end line. Excitement continued to mount as Cyprus, under pressure, got possession from a free throw at the end line. But he missed the second and the game went into double overtime.

Garcia got the final phase under way with a slam dunk but Bowdler hit back with a basket at the other end.

It was nip and tuck until a Mike Mitchell with a three pointer to give Ireland a three point lead with 1:13 on the clock.

Newcomer Michael Bree then combined with Sekunda who was fouled and he scored both from the free throw line to put Ireland five points up with 30 seconds on the clock.

Ireland were now looking good and Bree then went to the free throw line and scored one of two to increase the lead to six.

But Cyprus were not finished. Giorgos went to the line for two before an intentional foul was called on him and he went to the bench to watch Sekunda land one out of two and give Ireland a 104-99 victory.

Cal Bowdler with 28 pts top scored for Ireland with Glenn Sekunda on 22, Marty Conlon on eight and Mike Mitchell on nine. Jo Jo Garcia with 24 pts top scored for Cyprus.