Ireland 86-72 Kosovo
Ireland staged a fight-back to beat Kosovo 86-72 and reach the final of the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in Nicosia, Cyprus where they will meet Luxembourg.
Fiona O'Dwyer top-scored for an Irish side that fell 26-18 behind after the opening 10 minutes.
Although they out-scored Kosovo in the second and third quarters - O'Dwyer scoring seven points in the latter - Ireland still trailed their opponents 55-54 at the end of the third before finding an extra gear in the final quarter to overturn the deficit.
With James Weldon's side scoring 32 points to the Kosovans' 17 in the final quarter, it was more than enough to win by 14 points and qualify for the decider.
20 points. 10 rebounds. 5 assists. Fiona O'Dwyer 👏👏👏 #FIBASmallCountries pic.twitter.com/GmBDSU9Zcx
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) July 24, 2021
Luxembourg booked their place in Sunday's final, which will have a 5pm start, after the latter dominated Malta in a 89-46 win in the second semi-final.
Ireland: Michelle Clarke, Aine McKenna, Dayna Finn (14), Claire Rockall, Rachel Huijsdens (10), Gráinne Dwyer (6), Edel Thornton (2), Fiona O'Dwyer (20), Claire Melia (13), Hannah Thornton (2), Sorcha Tiernan (19), Aine O’Connor (Did Not Play).
Kosovo: Era Shatri (11), Alexis Renee Tolefree (16), Enisa Kamerolli (4), Ulpiana Emra (DNP), Irma Konjusha (3), Aulona Muhadri (2), Valbona Bytyqi Osmanaj (2), Marigona Rushiti (7), Saranda Daci (18), Arbnore Perquku (9), Astera Tuhina, Diedona Halitaj.
