Claire Melia set for history-making moment on European stage
TO THE BASKET: Ireland's Claire Melia and Anete Steinberga of Latvia. Pic: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho
Claire Melia is set to make history this Thursday when she becomes the first Irish woman to ever play in a European club basketball semi-final.
Melia, from Monasterevin in Co. Kildare, will line out for BAXI Ferrol from Spain against French outfit Asvel in the Eurocup Women semi-finals. In doing so, she’ll become the first Irish-born player since Pat Burke in 2001 to play at such a stage in Europe.
“When I came out to Ferrol I didn’t even realise they were playing in the Eurocup. For the people of the town here it’s been amazing, they always come out to support us,” said Melia.
“They’re not just with us because we’re winning, they’re genuine supporters. When we played the qualifiers we figured we’d give it a go. Then, getting to the group stage, we figured we’d be finished by November. Now we’ve won two knockout rounds and we’re just going with the flow.”
Melia, 25, is in her first season as a full-time player. She had previously balanced her duties at club level in Ireland with work in a creche.
“It’s been a great experience. Everything has gone well. I didn’t know how I’d find the professional lifestyle but the club is great, the whole set-up is and I get on with my housemate. It all worked out well,” she said.
“The club had reached out to me a couple of years ago but I didn’t feel like it was the right time then. When I was contacted last year, it was different and I had a gut feeling that it was the right time to go.”
Ferrol is a small enough town with fewer than 70,000 inhabitants and is located on the northwest coast of Spain, in Galicia. That tight community suits the Monasterevin native perfectly.
“It's a small town, it’s not like Barcelona or Madrid. It’s a community with a nice buzz to it. It’s still busy enough, there are always little things on. I thought it was similar to Monasterevin until my family were out visiting and said it was way bigger,” she said. “Still, it feels like a home away from home.”
The Eurocup adventure, which is the equivalent of football’s Europa League, is a first for BAXI Ferrol as well as Melia.
“The club is probably surprised we got this far as well. I know personally that it hasn’t hit me. It’s good for young girls at home [in Ireland] as well that they can see that they can play in Europe and not just think about America,” said Melia.
“I’ve improved in certain ways. The system is very different, there’s lots of space around the basket. It’s interesting and good when it's run right.” With her family and boyfriend back in Ireland, Melia is uncertain whether she’ll continue her Spanish adventure after this season.
“I’m not fully sure yet, it would be nice to try it for another year. I’m looking forward to the end of the season and getting to see my niece and nephew. I’m a homebird.”
Still, the focus for now is on Thursday’s huge test with Asvel. The French side won this competition in 2023 and Melia knows it will be a big test.
“The focus doesn’t really change, you have to go into it like another game. The team we’re playing against is very strong. They have a great young Lithuanian Justė Jocytė and she’s really talented, they also have Dominique Malonga, who is also really young and talented,” said Melia.
“It’s going to be a tough game. All we can do is try our best. They’re under more pressure than us, they’re a bigger name and would be expected to do more.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
