Ireland hoping to sink Swiss

Following a winning start to their European Championship campaign against Malta last Saturday, Ireland’s men will take on the Swiss on Wednesday, September 15 at the ESB Basketball Arena, Dublin at 7.30pm.

This is the first chance in over a year to see the senior men play at home. Included in the ranks is former NBA players Marty Conlon and the Tullamore-born former ‘Orlando Magic’ player Pat Burke, who currently plays with Real Madrid.

The Swiss, who competed in the semi-final round of the last European Championships, are expected to provide a much sterner test than the Maltese and are determined to bounce back from a heavy defeat by Slovakia on Saturday.

Ireland team coach Gerry Fitzpatrick is delighted to have a full squad, with the arrival of experienced international Jimmy Moran, who joined the rest of the team last night.

A quietly confident Fitzpatrick said: “This is a crucial match - whoever wins this game gives themselves a real chance of being in the final shake up for next year.”

Winning the group will mean progressing to the quarter and then semi-finals of the European Championships. Further success would then mean promotion to Group A … Europe's top 16nations.

A huge crowd and great atmosphere is expected and tickets (€20 Adult; €10 Children) will be available at the Arena on the night.