No pressure, just an opportunity to 'take a step forward for Irish basketball'

Ireland face Azerbaijan and Kosovo this week in two crucial World Cup pre-qualifiers.

OPPORTUNITY: Ireland face Azerbaijan and Kosovo without key players CJ Fulton, Sam Alajiki and Taiwo Badmus. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

To a man, the Ireland camp views this week's two Fiba World Cup pre-qualifiers at home to Azerbaijan (today, 5pm) and Kosovo (Sunday, 5pm) as "must win". They currently sit fourth in the four-team group after defeats away to Kosovo and at home to Switzerland earlier this year. The group winner will advance to the second round of qualifying along with the best ranked second place team from three groups.

"I don't think we've ever had two home games like this," said Ireland head coach Mark Keenan.