St Vincent’s, Killester and the perils of immortality
Only two sides have never been relegated from Ireland’s top flight. On Saturday night, they faced off in the Domino’s Super League yet, as Emmet Ryan writes, the fates of St Vincent’s and Killester look rather different this season. Considering Ireland’s had a national league for well over 50 years, it’s no small thing that […]
Can European Superstars Define the 2027 NBA Championship Race?
European basketball stars are increasingly central to the NBA championship conversation. Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić, and Victor Wembanyama have established themselves as among the league’s most influential players, while Lauri Markkanen and Franz Wagner continue to demonstrate versatility. Their situations differ considerably. Some lead established contenders, others face uncertain futures, and several depend […]
EuroLeague Nights: Betting and Casino Culture Around European Basketball
EuroLeague basketball has never really been a domestic product in the way most top-flight football leagues are. A single season routes through Madrid, Istanbul, Belgrade, Athens, and a dozen other cities, and that constant movement has quietly shaped a betting and casino culture around the competition that looks nothing like what surrounds a typical national […]
VIDEO: Caitlin Clark calls out reporter over Angel Reese question
BallinEurope’s Emmet Ryan captured the moment when Caitlin Clark of USA basketball called out a reporter for an inappropiate question about her and Angel Reese. Watch the full video, which packaged together three videos in total to provide the full context, below: Caitlin Clark did not take it kindly when a reporter asked her about […]
Kara Lawson nearly pays for holding Caitlin Clark and USA back
It was more of the same from the USA and that was barely enough. Kara Lawson once more went with her underperforming vets over the impressive trio of Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese. It nearly cost her team a place in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup final. Emmet Ryan says that, if […]
Gabby Williams and France are coming for the crown
Gabby Williams put on a clinic but it was the sheer depth of France that carried them to the final of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. Emmet Ryan on how a game Germany just didn’t have enough to cope with an impressively business-like display by the French. Absolute goosebumps. The French, to their credit, […]
Iyana Martin’s World Cup choice is paying off for Spain
Despite sitting the whole of the second quarter, Iyana Martin continued her impressive run at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. Her decision to delay joining the Portland Fire of the WNBA is proving quite beneficial to Spain as she helped them set up a semi-final showdown with the USA. Iyana Martin made a choice […]
Germany’s belief makes history against Belgium
It was the biggest game in the history of German women’s basketball yet the hosts couldn’t have been calmer. Belgium fell to a host nation at a major tournament once more as Germany advanced to the medal rounds of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. Emmet Ryan on an extraordinary afternoon in Berlin. The rather […]
Breanna Stewart leads as Caitlin Clark grows into USA role
This was never a contest but it was a game that reaffirmed what we already knew about Breanna Stewart and Caitlin Clark. Hungary’s catastrophic defensive strategy ended this earlier than expected but, Emmet Ryan writes, the USA was never losing this game. This was never going to be a close one. That was made even […]
USA ease past Czechia as Caitlin Clark questions remain
A facile victory over Czechia was what the USA needed but, Emmet Ryan writes, there are still big issues to address before the medal rounds of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. Czechia, already eliminated before this game, were never likely to pose much of a threat to the USA. The Americans leaned into their […]
Germany find their nerve when it matters most
On a day where nerves could have confounded them, a confidence fuelled Germany took control against Mali to punch their ticket to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIBA World Cup. Emmet Ryan on a day where Deutschland proved they belong at this level. The arithmetic was simple, if a touch mind bending. If Spain […]
USA have too many stars and nobody in charge
Italy came oh so close to the greatest upset in the history of basketball at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. The 30.5 favourites USA looked utterly rudderless against an Italy team that came with organisation as well as belief. The way the USA is playing right now, is putting an unnecessary ceiling on their […]
Belgium’s calm control shows just how far the Cats have come
Even a quiet night from Emma Meesseman couldn’t hide the sheer control Belgium showed whenever they step on the floor. Emmet Ryan watched the Cats moved to 2-0 at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, as Julie Vanloo stole most of the headlines. We got to see the true maturity of Belgium as a global […]