Rachel Huijsdens counts on local backing as Ireland face Eurobasket baptism of fire

 Huijsdens is looking forward to ‘a big test of character’ when Ireland take on the Netherlands and Czech Republic

DCU Mercy’s Rachel Huijsdens looks to get by Aryn McClure of Singleton Supervalu Brunell during the Hula Hoops Women’s National Cup semi-final. Picture: Brendan Moran

A holiday romance that blossomed into much, much more means Ireland may have some local support despite returning to the top flight of European basketball with a tough away opening game in Amsterdam today.

That’s because Meath centre Rachel Huijsdens has lots of relatives in the Netherlands thanks to her Dutch dad Marco, who met her mum Helen on a sun holiday over two decades ago.