BASKETBALL: Ireland hope and expect to get their European Championship off to a strong start this weekend in Dublin when they meet Malta in the first match of a three-game series. Tomorrow's game in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght at 5.15pm is expected to be the least tough of the the European series.

The confidence comes in part from Ireland's tough preparatory matches against Turkey, Finland, Lithuania and Latvia, with coach Jerry Fitzpatrick now very hopeful that Ireland have what it takes to reach the play-offs for Europe's top 16.

Ireland overcame Malta last year in the first leg of the championships. Malta had no answer to Ireland's size and power and were beaten convincingly 51-90.

Ireland are now heading into the championships with possibly their strongest squad ever. Cal Bowlder returns after a year-long absence, while Conor Grace is back from scholarship in America. Both Chris Bracey and Justen Naughton return to the team for the second straight year after having had successful seasons with their respective clubs in Europe.

Naughton helped Gmunden Swans win the 2005 Austrian Basketball title for the first time while Bracey finished as the fourth top scorer of the entire Swiss league, averaging 21.6 points.

Ireland's most capped player Can Callaghan is back in force as is former NBA player Marty Conlon. Michael Bree, Jim Moran and Jay Larranaga are all back to strengthen the Irish campaign as newcomers Lorcan Precious and Danny Mills make their debut in an Irish shirt. Combined with the recent signing of Pat Burke to the Phoenix Suns, the match is set to generate a huge amount of interest among Irish fans.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP: September 3rd: Ireland v Malta, 5.15pm; September 7th: Switzerland v Ireland; September 10th: Ireland V Slovak Republic 5.15pm (Live RTÉ Coverage); September 17th: (Women) Ireland v Sweden 4.00pm.