Ireland 57-64 Denmark
Denmark defeated Ireland in their friendly fixture at the National Basketball Arena as the home side were punished for a number of sloppy turnovers.
Ireland made blistering start to the contest, John Carroll - playing his first home international since reversing his decision to retire - opened the scoring with a three.
Back-to-back three’s from Taiwo Badmus, who finished with a game-high 23 points, and another by Jordan Blount had Ireland up 18-8, with a little over three minutes to go in the first quarter, however that lead was cut to 19-15.
Ireland suffered a blow when they lost Blount to an ankle injury in the second quarter, which curtailed their options.
The game was level at 21-21 following Sylvester Berg’s dunk three and a half minutes into the second quarter. An Anton Ostoft three followed to put the Danes in front, cancelled out swiftly by another Badmus three and it was 24-24.
A nine point run from the Danes was finally ended by Sean Flood’s three, to see Ireland trail 33-27. The Danes led 35-29 at half-time.
Ireland closed to within a point at 38-37 two and a half minutes into the third, following Neal Quinn’s rebound.
Gustav Shur Jessen’s three had the Denmark up 44-39 with four minutes to go. But Ireland reclaimed the lead following Matt Treacy’s corner three and a basket and free throw from Badmus to put them 45-44 up.
A nice fadeaway jump shot from Adrian O’Sullivan had Ireland in front by three at 50-47 with 1’21 left. The teams exchanged free throws, and Ireland led 51-49 going into the final quarter.
Denmark started the fourth with a seven-point run. Badmus got Ireland’s first points of quarter from the three point line, to bring his tally to 21 points at that stage and Ireland trailed 56-54 with four and a half minutes remaining in the contest.
In a low scoring affair, baskets from Tobias Jensen and Sylvester Berg either side of a Mads Bonde free throw made it a seven-point game at 61-54 with a minute and a half to go.
It was an uphill task for Ireland, another Badmus basket followed, but it was Denmark’s night.
