The Irish Basketball team received a cruel blow this week with news that co-captain Dan Callahan will not be available for the opening leg of their semi-finals campaign. The European Championships tips-off on Wednesday with a tough opening game against Germany, who currently hold fourth position in Europe. Gareth Maguire took up Callahan’s spot and flew out to join the squad in Gottingen this morning and will become the most capped player in Irish Basketball history when he picks up his 70th Cap against the Germans.
Ireland will be looking to 6'10'' former NBA star Marty Conlon who will make his Irish debut on Wednesday night. Conlon, whose younger brother David played for St Vincent's in the ESB SuperLeague in the '90s, has played for over five NBA clubs during his career – including the Boston Celtics and his addition will be a big boost to a side lacking in physical presence inside.
Ireland's leading scorer during the qualifying round, Jay Larranaga is carrying a knee injury ahead of the competition but is receiving continuous treatment and should be fit for the game. Point-guard Adrian Fulton picked up an ankle injury in the Superleague clash against Dart Killester last weekend, but has travelled and should be fit in time for the clash.
With Germany undisputed favourites, coach Dooley and his squad will have it all to do in the home ties next week. Ireland have been drawn in a tough group with Croatia, Germany, Cyprus, Macedonia and Bosnia and are expected to find it difficult to qualify for the next round. The top two placed teams in each group plus the four best teams placed third in each group will qualify for the final round in Sweden in 2003.
Filed by Shane Murray
