Boys U14 trip to Barcelona for Euro Youth Basketball Cup
Euro Youth Basketball brings together Men’s and Women’s teams from all over the world to Barcelona, Spain for a period of three days. It is considered to be one of the most prestigious tournaments in Europe in which Cork Basketball entered their Under 14 boys panel into. The under 14 section consisted of 12 teams with a four group, three team round robin format with teams from the U.S.A, U.K., Greece, Finland, France and Lithuania. Our Cork team found themselves in Group D with Bristol Flyers and Beat Basketball Black from Finland. On their arrival on the 16 th of June, they had their first game against Bristol Flyers who they beat on a score line of 41 points to 20. After a break overnight and a swim and sauna the following morning a win in their second game and we would see them go through to the semi-finals of the main draw. With a lunch time tip off, our Cork team went to work early and were 27 points to 5 up at the end of the first quarter. The result was never in doubt after this and they ran out winners on a score line of 121 points to 24. A great win and we progressed to the last four of the main draw where they met Bordeaux Academy. Semi-final time came on Sunday morning, unfortunately this didn’t go our way as we lost to a fantastic Bordeaux team which was full of French international and academy players. Thankfully the boys were not out all together as there was a 3 rd /4 th place playoff against San Diego Blaze to compete in. At the end of the 1 st quarter we held a four point lead and were only two down at the half 33 points to 31. Unfortunately tiredness set in and the game slipped away but the lads tried their guts out but finished defeated on a score line of 51 points to 70. These young players from all over Cork represented us so well and their behaviour on and off the court was exemplary. They did the board, county, their families and themselves
proud and had two full days to relax and bask in their achievements before returning to Cork.
Following their return to Cork, Willie McCarthy, Chairperson of the Cork County Board gave his thoughts on the trip, “When first mooted the board were not sure how it would go. Over 60 players tried out and the lucky fifteen were chosen by Coach James McSweeney and assistant Adrian O’ Sullivan. They gelled well with each other like they were lifetime friends and the parents who travelled together got on like a house on fire”. With nobody knowing how well they would do, Willie expressed his thoughts on “how amazing they were, playing above our expectations, finishing as the third best European team and fourth overall.” He also wanted to thank those who assisted in the fundraising particularly the families and to those who donated. Special thanks were given to Vive Ireland Sportswear our kit partner and Petrochem our main sponsor for their support.
Our Chairperson also had further good news to impart when he indicated that we were invited back next year and he hoped that it would become an annual event for Cork teams.