More heartbreak for unlucky Ireland as Iceland snatch last-gasp victory

Ireland 75 Iceland 78

The Irish suffered a two-point loss to Notre Dame on Thursday and victory was once again snatched, courtesy of Logi Gunnarsson’s three pointer at the death.

Iceland claimed the first basketin a low scoring opening couple of minutes through Helgi Magnusson but Colin O’Reilly and Ian O’Boyle finally got Ireland on the board close to the five-minute mark.

Damien Matacz added a lay-up with three minutes remaining to give Ireland a four-point lead but a lay-up from Logi Gunnarsson kept the visitor’s in close pursuit.

However, Matacz continued to impress and a basket converted under the basket helped Ireland to a 12-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second half was a much livelier affair but it was the Icelandic side who held the advantage as they headed into the half-time break, leading by a healthy 10-point margin (34-44). Iceland’s Sigurour Porvaldonson started off the quarter with a lay-up plus a free throw and then added two three pointers at the 7:35 and 6:45 mark to turn his team’s first quarter scoring woes around and give them a four-point lead.

Damian Matacz and Donnie McGrath did their part for Ireland to stop the run with a lay-up and a three pointer but Iceland still held a six-point lead at the 5:25 mark.

Colin O’Reilly knocked down a three-pointer at the 4:30 mark to cut the lead to the minimum but Iceland had a run of its own led by Pall Axel Vilbergsson, Magnis Thor Gunnarsson and Porvaldonson and surged into a 10-point lead.

Ireland refused to panic and controlled the third quarter but Iceland still commanded a healthy nine-point lead (64-55) as the final quarter beckoned.

Magnus Thor Gunnarsson and Ian O’Boyle exchanged three points but it proved to be a jumper from Ireland’s Conor Grace to cut the Icelandic lead to three and get Ireland back in the contest with seven minutes to go in the quarter.

The final quarter proved just as nail biting as Ireland’s clash with Notre Dame but it was to be more heartache for the home fans as the late three pointer ensured a shock win for Iceland.