Watch back: Ireland suffer defeat to Israel in controversial European qualifier

Ireland's Bridget Herlihy in action during the qualifier. Picture: Oksana Dzadan/Sportsfile

Ireland suffered an 87-57 defeat in the delayed and rearranged EuroBasket qualifier against Israel at Latvia's Rimi Olympic Center.

The game was moved to a neutral venue due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

You can watch the action back below: 

 

Pre-game controversy 

Ireland neglected to host this qualifier in Dublin late last year on the basis of expected protests and the claim that the safety of the Israeli team could “not be guaranteed”.

Basketball Ireland had come under significant pressure to boycott the fixture in response to Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza where thousands of people have lost their lives since October.

Several Irish players opted not to travel, but Basketball Ireland CEO John Feehan said earlier this week that they had no option but to fulfil the fixture or be fined heavily by the governing body FIBA and thrown out of international competition for five years.

Tensions were further escalated earlier on Thursday with Basketball Ireland responding angrily to accusations by an Israel player that the Irish team is antisemitic.

Israel players were photographed with armed Israeli soldiers last weekend, while one player, Dor Sa'ar, accused the Irish camp of anti-semitism. "It's known that they are quite anti-Semitic and it's no secret, and maybe that's why a strong game is expected".

Basketball Ireland said that following the comments, Irish players would not be partaking in the "traditional pre-match arrangements with our upcoming opponents".

"This includes exchanging of gifts, and formal handshakes before or after the game, while our players will line up for the Irish national anthem by our bench, rather than centre court.

"Basketball Ireland fully supports our players in their decision."

Irish players line up for the national anthem by the bench, rather than centre court, in protest to accusations of anti-semitism.

Speaking earlier this week, Feehan made clear that there would be no “consequences” for players opting out and was again resolute in defending the decision not to boycott the fixture.

“In simple terms, between Ireland and Israel there is over a billion euro worth of trade every year. Why basketball is the one that gets hammered… I reiterate we have huge sympathy for what is happening in Gaza.

“All the players, whether they are in Latvia or not, feel the same way but … is it going to make a blind bit of difference if we make a grand gesture? The simple answer to that is no, and I am not prepared to destroy my sport for a gesture that will have no impact.”