Disjointed Ireland fall to a shock home defeat against Azerbaijan

It means Ireland now remain without a win in this campaign.

Ireland's Sean Flood. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho

FIBA EuroBasket 2029 qualifier: Ireland 75 Azerbaijan 76 

Ireland’s men fell to a shock defeat at home to Azerbaijan as they lost their third game from three in EuroBasket qualifying.

It was a slow start for Ireland in the first quarter. Seán Flood made three straight from the free throw line and then nailed a three-pointer to keep the scoreboard ticking over. There was a clear eagerness to seek deep balls early and often, which took a while to truly click.

Kamran Mammadov and Ulas Turgut were giving Ireland plenty to think about defensively early. The visitors came here under sized but not lacking in fight despite their low ranking.

CJ Fulton scored his first points in an Ireland jersey for almost three years midway through the first before Sam Alajiki opened his account seconds later. At the end of the first, Ireland led 19-18.

Ireland’s three-point troubles followed them into the second half and Azerbaijan took full advantage. Wesley Van Beck gave the visitors the lead from deep and then followed that up with a pair of free throws.

Jordan Blount and Matt Zona ended the slump with back-to-back threes as Michael Bree’s charges finally showed some sense of rhythm. Another three from Alajiki moved Ireland back in front.

Yet Kamran Mammadov kept coming at Ireland. A four-point play in the middle of the second put Azerbaijan back in front and Bree’s charges were in a dogfight. The disjointed nature of Ireland’s first half performance was making it all too easy for Mammadov and Van Beck to take advantage on the fast break.

Ireland’s offensive sets were moving glacially by comparison. At the half, there was a lot of work to do as Azerbaijan led 41-35.

Van Beck extended the lead for the visitors with a three to start the second half as Ireland once again struggled to settle. Amil Hamzayev gave them the first double digit lead of the game with a three of his own and Bree was forced to call timeout less than a minute after the restart.

Ireland’s problems were compounded as Alajiki was forced to leave the floor injured after falling hard. There was a silver lining as the foul that resulted in Alajiki’s injury resulted in Van Beck, who had 20 points, being ejected from the game.

An alley-oop from Fulton to Neal Quinn roused the crowd as Ireland looked to start a comeback. Still the disjointed offensive play limited opportunities. In the simplest terms, it looked like players didn’t know where they were meant to be. 

Even without Van Beck, who is starring for Tenerife in the Basketball Champions League, it still looked easier for Azerbaijan.

Alajiki returned to the floor, with his right cheek heavily bandaged, late in the third. That sparked a mini-rally but Ireland still trailed 59-54 entering the final quarter.

A dunk from Alajiki to start the fourth made it a one score game but there was still work to do. A Zona three off a fast break cut the gap to the minimum before Flood put the hosts back in front from the line.

Yet Ireland still couldn’t make life easy for themselves. A three from Hamzayev put Azerbaijan back up by five points midway through the final quarter. It looked to be slipping away from Ireland but Flood hit a three from the right corner restored hope with under a minute to play.

Ireland however couldn’t find the shots they needed. Down three late, Flood had to settle for a score inside before sending Azerbaijan to the line. Alajiki’s full court heave rimmed out and Ireland remain without a win in this campaign.

Ireland: Jordan Blount, Rapolas Buivydas, CJ Fulton, Sean Flood (captain), Seán Fitzpatrick, Ryan Leonad, Sam Alajiki, Matt Zona, Neal Quinn, Adrian O’Sullivan, Eoin Nelson, James Gormley.

Top scorers: Flood 18, Zona 15, Alajiki 14, Quinn 14.

Azerbaijan: Emmanuel Agobosan, Wesley Van Beck, Ulas Can Turgut, Elshad Shirzadov, Jabrayil Akbarov, Amil Hamzayev, Kamran Mammadov, Ercan Donat, Derin Berkoz, Saadettin Donat, Endar Poladkhanli,, Shirzad Shirzadov.

Top scorers: Van Beck 20, Mammadov 18, Hamzayev 11.