National Leagues 334
CJ Fulton is happy to focus on the present
With his decision on where to go next very much up in the air, CJ Fulton is a prospect who is just working on his game for now. Emmet Ryan caught up with the Belfast Star point guard, for whom basketball runs in the family It’s the middle of the third quarter and Belfast Star […]
Video: The Ballin After…returns
The Ballin After returns after a ludicrous stop-start existence to finally be a thing entirely because it actually has a home now. Emmet Ryan welcomes you to BallinEurope’s old new series, it’s complicated, then breaks down the big stories including Shane Larkin going off, the Irish cup semi finals, and the odd situation Alba Berlin […]
Even in defeat, Shrita Parker is impossible to ignore
Shrita Parker is not your regular baller. She’s all of them. Emmet Ryan was enraptured by the game of the Glanmire import as she brought the full buffet with her but it wasn’t enough as Killester forced their way into the Irish women’s cup final Shrita Parker is not your normal US import in Ireland. […]
Sometimes you win ugly
This was not a good basketball game by any stretch but at least history was guaranteed no matter what. Tralee Warriors and Éanna were both looking for a first ever trip to Irish men’s cup final and Éanna were good for their win in a game where the only thing they’ll want to remember is […]
BiE’s best of the decade
We have a couple of treats in store next week but before that, we’ve taken the time to select the best writing on the site over the past 10 years, join us on a journey through the highs, the lows, the deep dives, and the tearful goodbyes Between game analysis, player profiles, addressing big issues, […]
The tightest league in Europe just got tighter
Any run of results would guarantee chaos in the Irish Super League. It was going to take something special to make things absolutely bonkers at the mid-point of the season and we got just that. Emmet Ryan on how December to Dismember is living up to its billing It began in rather drab fashion. Templeogue […]
Irish basketball gears up for December to Dismember
No it’s not a long forgotten terrible WWE Pay Per View but rather the extraordinary run of fixtures facing one of the most competitive leagues in Europe. Emmet Ryan on why the Irish men’s Super League merits your attention over the next month, no matter where you are watching As things stand in Ireland, just […]
BiE’s book I Like it Loud is finally on sale
You may have noticed activity on this site has been near non-existent since the end of last season. BallinEurope editor Emmet Ryan had a book to finish while also dealing with his day job. Things got crazy but it’s finally available to buy, in ample time for the holiday season Back in Munich airport last […]
Valencia add to a miserable week for Barcelona
The first half was bad basketball. The third quarter was mostly good basketball. The fourth was good bad basketball. Emmet Ryan almost fell asleep in Palau Blaugrana but eventually got a hot mess to enjoy as the BiE tour saw Barcelona fall to Valencia. The bad basketball was however a fine excuse to go off […]
Real romp past Estudiantes as derby day brings back memories
Ah you’ve just got to love the simplicity of European team anthems. especially when they seem totally alien to the backdrop. ¡Hala Madrid! by Jose De Aguilar, leading right into the more typical tune for a modern arena, Stop the Rock by Apollo 440. This is what you get when you go to sport on […]
The way of the Warriors
The race was over, then it was alive again, then it was decided. Over the course of 2 games, starting 24 hours apart, the Irish Super League championship was decided in a combination of both the height of drama and the calm of a coronation. Emmet Ryan hit the road to take in all the, […]
The beat goes on
The last of our missives from the Kingdom sees Emmet Ryan return to Tralee during the run-in to the Irish Super League race as the unexpected league leaders faced a stern test from relegation battlers Neptune Saturday and Sunday see two huge games for the Tralee Warriors but that’s pretty much the norm. Every time […]