Ireland 3x3 basketball team ready to face Olympic champions in Europe Cup debut

The Irish 3x3 squad features John Carroll (pictured), Jordan Blount, Sean Jenkins, and Matt Treacy. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Ireland 3x3 basketball coach Darren McGovern is relishing the chance to take on two Olympic champions this weekend.

Ireland’s men qualified for the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup for the first time ever earlier this summer. They will face reigning Olympic champions the Netherlands along with Tokyo champions Latvia in the group phase on Friday in Copenhagen.

“It’s exciting. It’s the second or third highest level you can play at in the world. No doubt the talent that Latvia and Netherlands have is substantial. There are three Olympic champions in the Netherlands team and another two in the Latvian team,” said McGovern.

“The level of competition is through the roof. These guys are 3x3 professionals and we’re coming into their environment.” 

The 3x3 form of the sport is played in a shortened space, slightly less than a half court. The games last 10 minutes, while scoring is made up of one and two-point shots as opposed to two and three-points shots in full size basketball. Space is always at a premium and McGovern’s team has worked to adapt to the different style.

“There’s a huge difference and the players notice it when they play against someone seasoned in 3x3. From the way they seal to the way they move off screens, it’s very different,” said McGovern.

“It takes time for the guys to adjust to that. It has taken time to adapt but we have done a really good job of coming from one environment into another.” 

The Irish squad has been preparing for the finals with a training camp in Novi Sad, Serbia.

“We probably couldn’t be in a better place to prepare for 3x3. This is the 3x3 capital of the world, Serbia has the most professional teams and coaches. It’s a really good environment for us to be in,” said McGovern.

“In Ireland we don’t have that level of competition so we felt best to go somewhere we could get in-depth coaching and access to professional teams.” 

John Carroll, a seasoned international with Ireland’s full court basketball side, is confident the team can adapt to the challenge.

“It’s probably the highest level I’ve played with Ireland. It’s not a qualifier or pre-qualifier, it’s the actual Euros and we’re playing the Netherlands, who won the gold medal in the Olympics,” he said.

“There are differences but it suits my style of play, which is good for me. We’re playing in a more confined space. It’s been great being in Serbia to better understand the nuances.” 

Carroll is joined on the Irish squad by Jordan Blount, Sean Jenkins, and Matt Treacy. Carroll is confident that, despite the level of the challenge ahead of them, that he and his teammates can make an impact at the tournament.

“It’s obviously a tough group. We definitely feel like we can win a game and get out of the group.” 

Ireland’s games in the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup on Friday will be broadcast on the TG4 Player and app.