North Macedonia Cruises Past Ireland in Europe Championship Qualifier

North Macedonia took a commanding step toward qualification for the European Basketball Championship on July 3, 2026, with a 77–56 victory over Ireland. The match, played in Skopje, saw the home side control the tempo from start to finish, using a stifling defense and a balanced offensive attack to overwhelm the Irish.

Match Overview

The opening quarter was tight, with North Macedonia holding a narrow 18–14 lead. But the second quarter told a different story. North Macedonia ramped up their defensive pressure, forcing nine Irish turnovers that led to 12 fast-break points. By halftime, the lead had swollen to 41–26, and Ireland never found a way back into the contest.

Ireland's offense labored throughout the night, shooting just 36% from the field and 4-of-18 from three-point range. North Macedonia, by contrast, shot 48% overall and 40% from deep. The home team's size advantage was also evident on the boards, where they outrebounded Ireland 42–31.

Key Performers

• Stefan Markovski (North Macedonia): The point guard orchestrated the offense beautifully, finishing with 18 points and 9 assists. His alley-oop pass to center Petar Georgievski in the third quarter brought the crowd to its feet.
• Filip Trajkovski (North Macedonia): The power forward notched 14 points and 11 rebounds, a classic double-double performance that gave North Macedonia second-chance opportunities.
• Patrick O'Shea (Ireland): The shooting guard scored 15 points, but it came on 5-of-15 shooting. He was the only Irish player in double figures.

Tactical Story

North Macedonia's head coach, Goran Martinovski, employed a switching defense that flustered Ireland's pick-and-roll actions. Ireland's guards found it difficult to penetrate, and when they did, they were met by shot-blocker Aleksandar Dimovski, who swatted three shots. Offensively, North Macedonia ran a motion offense that exploited Ireland's weak side help defense, leading to several open layups.

Qualifying Implications

North Macedonia's record now stands at 3–1 in Group D, placing them second behind only Slovenia. A win in their next game against Luxembourg would virtually guarantee a top-two finish and direct qualification to the European Championship. Ireland, now fallen to 0–4, have been eliminated from contention for a spot in the tournament. They will play for pride in their remaining two fixtures.

The performance in Skopje demonstrated North Macedonia's growing maturity as a program. After missing the last edition of the European Championship, they are determined to reclaim their place among the continent's best.