Growing pains – both individually and as a team – was the phrase of choice for Irish players Seán Flood and Matt Zona ahead of this evening's FIBA EuroBasket pre-qualifier with Luxembourg.
The squad travelled out Monday evening for the Group A clash, and they’ll fly back to Dublin on Friday morning ahead of Sunday’s meeting with North Macedonia at the National Basketball Arena.
For Flood, who has once again been entrusted with the captaincy by new head coach Michael Bree after Mark Keenan’s departure, two wins are the aim – but he admitted that teething problems are to be expected.
"I think there's got to be growing pains every time you're coming in a new group, new coaching staff, trying to get their ideas, philosophies of play.
"Obviously (you) look for the positives within the chaos and also understand that probably things aren't going to be perfect.
"But as long as we can build that kind of cohesion, chemistry as a group with both players and coaching staff going into [tonight], be as comfortable as we can be and obviously put in a good performance.
"We understand the value of coming away with a win on [tonight] to kick off the campaign and give us the best opportunity going forward to top the group or be one of those best second-place teams.
"But I think it's been made clear - and I think everyone's on board - and certainly my way of thinking and everyone else's way of thinking is that we want to win the group."
It may be a new coaching ticket, but Flood retains the captaincy he’s held since June 2022 in a ringing endorsement of his leadership qualities.
"I've always said it's definitely the greatest honour you can have as a basketball player, to captain your country. Especially at a senior men's level, the highest possible level for ourselves in terms of international.
"I’m very proud and it's not something I take lightly.
"Every time there's a new coach and a new staff coming in they might want to come in and shake up everything completely and have a whole new leadership group within players and captain and all that kind of thing. For him to come in and continue to trust me from the previous coaching staff, it's a nice boost heading into the week here now."
Flood’s determination to get out on the court in Luxembourg is understandable. Currently unattached, his last competitive club game came with the London Lions back in May while he featured in an international series against Norway in the summer.
"Anytime you can come in with an Irish group and the lads I've grown up with and played with, it's great. But then to come back into this setting after not being with a team and the majority of my work being on my own, it's great.
"I'm confident in the work that I've put in over the last four or five months after I took my little break after the season.
"I'm confident that the work has been good and the work has been done. Come Thursday, come Sunday, I trust myself. I'm comfortable with whatever's going to happen," added Flood, who has turned down a number of offers in recent weeks but expects to find a new club in the very near future.
Meanwhile, Zona, enjoying his first year as a professional with British Super League side Cheshire Phoenix, spoke of his excitement after finally getting his chance to pull on the green vest.
The 6’ 9" US-born forward has dual citizenship and was captain of Fordham Rams last season, playing 33 games in NCAA Division 1.
"Things have been great. First practice has been great, my team-mates, coaches, support staff have been all super helpful. I’ve had a really good first day.
"I’ve been trying to get my way into the national team, but all of that stuff didn’t really work out in past years.
"With my move over to England for this season, I was able to get in touch with some people and figure it all out."
On his move to England, Zona feels he has fitted in well and hopes that international basketball will improve his game further.
"I’m really enjoying it. It’s my first year being a pro so there’s growing pains like everything else, but I’m really happy with where I am. Cheshire’s been awesome.
"I feel like I’m growing as a player, just making the jump to becoming a pro."
Ireland are in the first round of pre-qualifiers in a group alongside North Macedonia, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan. Ireland's fixtures will take place over three windows in November, February/March and July.
The three group winners and the best-ranked second-placed teams will advance to the second round of pre-qualifiers, where they will be joined by eight teams from the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European qualifiers first round.
