BASKETBALL Ireland suffer defeat to Slovakia

Ireland suffered an agonising 95-88 overtime defeat to Slovakia in their final game of the 2008 European Series of matches.

A three pointer from Larranaga in the closing seconds sent a dramatic tie into overtime but the visitor's kept their nerve to claim maximum points.

Despite the loss, Ireland can look forward to the next leg of games in 2009 with optimism after a number of encouraging performances.

Slovakia started brightly and fired into an early 6-0 advantage with Dusan Pandula's lay-up the pick of the early scores.

Ireland responded with baskets in quick succession from Conor Grace but a three pointer from Anton Gavel gave the visitor's a 9-4 advantage.

Chris Bracey's three pointer brought Ireland to within two points but a three from Vladimir Hovanak restored Slovakia's five point lead.

However, Ireland soon restored parity with Bracey and Colin O'Reilly both showing good form to leave the score 13-13. Both sides traded points before a lay-up from Richard Lesko put Slovakia ahead by three.

Grace contributed another three on the board for Ireland but a three pointer from Martin Sykora helped Slovakia to a 30-25 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Ireland got off to a fine start at the beginning of the second quarter with a lay-up from Damien Matacz and a three from Ian O'Boyle leaving nothing between the sides. (30-30)

Slovakia bounced back with a three pointer from Gavlak and a lay-up from Sykora but Grace narrowed the gap with a lay-up. Slovakia ensured they held the lead at the interval with a three from Martin Micka but a fine basket from Bracey left just four points between the sides at half time. (46-50)

Grace gave Ireland an early sign of encouragement in the third quarter with two quick baskets to leave just a solitary point between the sides.

Slovakia kept their nerve and went four ahead with Lesko providing the points. Ireland rallied and two free throws from O'Reilly and a basket from McGrath put Ireland up by one. (56-55)

Slovakia fought back to take a nine point lead into the final quarter with Igor Pesta and Sykora instrumental in their side regaining the lead. (58-67)

Bracey gave Ireland a massive boost at the start of the fourth quarter with a three and a basket to reduce the margin to four points.

Slovakia were proving clinical in front of the basket with another basket sunk by Sykora but Ireland were proving tough opposition and again managed to close the gap with another three from Bracey.

Frustratingly for Larranaga's charges Slovakia hit back with a three to leave nine between the sides. Ireland remained positive and a string of baskets courtesy of Matacz and McGrath saw Ireland close the lead to just two points.

In the final 40 seconds, Grace left the sides level at 77-77 but Gavel hit a lay-up to swing the pendulum back in Slovakia's favour but a three in the dying seconds from Larranaga sensationally sent the game into overtime.

The early stages of overtime saw Bracey sink a three but Slovakia through Rancik, Gravel and Lesko lead 88-83 with just under two minutes left on the clock.

Larranaga converted two free throws to maintain the tension inside the Arena and a further basket from McGrath closed the gap to two points to set up an agonising final 30 seconds.

However, Slovakia claimed the points in the final ten seconds with Gavlak and Lesko claiming free throws to give them a 95-88 success.