Magees determined to improve on bronze

Sam and Josh Magee guaranteed Ireland at least a European games badminton bronze medal, winning their men’s doubles quarter-final yesterday.

The Magee brothers now face Russian pair Ivan Sozonov and Vladimir Ivanov in today’s semi-final at 3pm Irish time, having beaten Belgian pair Dierickx and Golinski 23-21, 19-21, 51-15.

Meanwhile, Scott Evans progressed to a men’s singles medal match in impressive style, taking just 22 minutes to beat Bulgaria’s Blagovest Kisyov 21-6, 21-13.

The No.1 seed will face Denmark’s Emil Holst in today’s quarter-final at 6am Irish time.

Chloe Magee and Sam Magee wrapped up their mixed double group stage with a compressive 21-3, 21-2 v ictory over Maltese pair Samuel Cali and Marie Fiorella Sadowksi in just 13 minutes for a 100% group record.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s 3x3 basketball team caused a real upset in their quarter-final game beating world No.6 Czech Republic 17-13 and setting up a surprise quarter-final tie with Russia.

The Russian’s had too much for the Irish women, reaching the game-ending 21 points with 67 seconds to play. Team Montenotte Hotel Cork’s Grainne Dwyer scoring seven points against Russia.

The 4x100m Medley relay team finished in sixth place in their final with Emma Reid taking seventh in the 100m butterfly semi-final.

Rachel Bethel posted 2:04.89 in the Women’s freestyle final, having taken one of the 16 semi-finals places.

Andrew Moore, Rory McEvoy, Katie Baguley, Isuelt Hayes all missed out on the semi-final of their competitions with Danielle Hill failing to progress through heats of 200m freestyle and 50m backstroke.

Alan Corby missed out in the 50m breaststroke and 200m backstroke.