Zalgiris, Joventut and the Business of Multi-Club Basketball
The multi-club model is well-known in football but Zalgiris seem to be making waves on that front in basketball now. With Paulius Motiejunas and Tesonet buying a majority stake in Joventut Badalona, there’s the making of a four layered multi-club model including London Lions and a partnership with Dziki Warszawa. Emmet Ryan goes deep. Zalgiris […]
Carlik Jones Is the Daddy but Partizan Need to Grow Up
Carlik Jones reminded us why he’s the daddy in the Belgrade derby but this should never have been so close. Partizan’s superstar delivered big against Crvena Zvezda in Euroleague but concerns remain over how dependent Joan Penarroya’s side are on him, writes Emmet Ryan. Dads are great. I’d even go so far as to say […]
Why Watching European Basketball Is Still Too Complicated
Access to basketball has gotten easier but there’s still work to do. Emmet Ryan on the baby steps to give fans in Europe more access to more competitions but the need to make some giant leaps. Emmet Ryan on the slow progress being made. The new season is in full swing and, no matter where […]
Giannis, Wagner and Sabonis: NBA Stars With Points to Prove
The NBA returns today, it even has a game at a friendly timeslot for Europeans. Yet that’s not how we’re getting ready for it. No, instead Emmet Ryan examines three Euros with points to prove this season. Here’s why Giannis Antetokounmpo, Franz Wagner, and Domantas Sabonis are the three most interesting Euros entering the new […]
LeBron, Yabusele and $205 Million: Where Europe’s Money Race Falls Behind
Two summers ago, Guerschon Yabusele was a $2.1 million bargain for the Philadelphia 76ers, signed on a one-year deal after his Olympic final against the United States. This summer, after a season split between the Knicks and Bulls, Panathinaikos gave him €12.6 million over three years, one of the three biggest contracts in European basketball. […]
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 […]
Interview: A fresh approach to fantasy with Figurei8ht
Euroleague’s own fantasy game is long established, the Basketball Champions League has its own, and the NBA has no shortage of options. Yet one independent operator has entered the fray with an interesting offering. Emmet Ryan caught up with Figurei8ht to learn about their new Euroleague fantasy game. It’s been in operation since before the […]
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 […]
Thomas Garlepp wants Ireland to let rip and think big
New Ireland women’s national team head coach Thomas Garlepp was cautious about his goals but open about his ambition in an extensive interview with Emmet Ryan It’s Ireland week on BallinEurope and we’re off to a big start. Ireland will enter November’s EuroBasket Women 2029 pre-qualifiers with a new head coach at the helm. Thomas […]
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 […]
Caitlin Clark sparks the surge that buries France
An epic surge sparked by a Caitlin Clark buzzer beater gave the USA all they needed to romp past France. Emmet Ryan reflects on a final that looked there for the taking for Gabby Williams and co but, in the end, the Americans claimed the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup crown. It was a game […]