Tough opposition lined up for European Championship warm-up

IRELAND will host Norway, Austria, Portugal, Iceland and Luxembourg over four days of intense competition at the National Basketball Arena in preparation for the respective European championship campaigns.

The senior men’s team have their sights on next weekend’s clash with Switzerland as they play Norway tonight (6pm) in the opener while the women meet Luxembourg (8pm) as they round off their preparations.

Senior Men’s coach Greg Gurr has one injury worry, new centre Mike Williams. There was good news last night with the arrival of Jay Laranaga.

There will be debuts for Colin O’Reilly and Kieran O’Brien. Eoin O’Brien, impressive with Gleneagle Lakers last season, and Emmet Donnelly, who helped Roma St Vincent’s to the SuperLeague title, come in. Mike Bree is back from Switzerland and Conor Grace from Italy.

Weekend friendlies (National Basketball Arena)

Today: Senior Men, Ireland v Norway, 6pm; Senior Women, Ireland v Luxembourg, 8pm

Tomorrow: Senior Men, Norway v Austria, 4pm; Senior Women, Ireland v Portugal, 6pm.

Sunday: Senior Women, Portugal v Luxembourg, 2pm; Senior Men, Iceland v Norway, 4pm; Senior Men: Austria v Ireland, 6pm

Monday: Senior Men, Norway v Austria, 4pm; Senior Women, Ireland v Portugal, 4pm; Senior Men, Ireland v Iceland, 8pm.