Slovenia Awarded EuroBasket 2013 - France To Host EuroBasket Women 2013

The Board of FIBA Europe has awarded EuroBasket 2013 to Slovenia. The unanimous decision was taken at the Board's meeting in Munich, Germany, on Sunday.

FIBA Europe President Olafur Rafnsson and Secretary General Nar Zanolin, the Slovenian Minister for Sport Dr. Igor Luksic, Slovenian Basketball Federation President Roman Volcic and Secretary General Iztok Rems after the signing of the hosting agreement for EuroBasket 2013

FIBA Europe President Olafur Rafnsson and FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin signing the contract for EuroBasket 2013 in Slovenia

France were given the nod to organise EuroBasket Women 2013, after a unanimous decision to support the country's candidature was taken by the Board of FIBA Europe during its meeting in Munich, Sunday.

FIBA Europe President Olafur Rafnsson and FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin were both upbeat about the 2013 EuroBasket Women to be held in France

The venues and the dates for the Championship will be confirmed early in 2011.

"France have the knowledge and the necessary background to make this a very successful event," said FIBA Europe President Olafur Rafnsson.

FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin was had no doubt that the choice of hosts was the right one.

"Women's basketball is very popular in France, who, among others, are the reigning European champions. From a sporting perspective everything promises a great event," Zanolin said.

"This is recognition of our know-how and a first step in our strategy event that is long term. The organization of a EuroBasket Women will showcase our sport and our national team in our territory," commented Jean-Pierre Siutat, French Federation President and a member of the Board of FIBA Europe.

"My thanks go to those who supported us in this effort and with whom we will work in the coming days to designate the venues for this Championship. I also want to thank the French government for its support to the projects we have submitted."

France had previously organised EuroBasket Women in 2001 and EuroBasket Men in 1999.
They country hosted the U18 European Championship for Men as recently as 2009 while in 2010 France organised the U17 World Championship for Women and the Euroleague Final Four.

AQT To Be Held In Hungary, Italy

Hungary and Italy will organise the two Additional Qualifying Tournaments of EuroBasket Women 2011 after a decision by the Board of FIBA Europe in Munich, Germany.

The two hosting nations received a majority backing by the European Federation's executive body at the first time of asking during the vote, Sunday.

Hungary will host Group A (Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Netherlands and Ukraine) in Sopron while Italy will organise Group B (Serbia,Belgium, Germany, Italy and Romania) in Taranto.

Both round-robin groups will be staged June 3-8 next year. The winners of the two groups will then play each other in home and away games, on June 12 and 15, with the winner securing the last EuroBasket Women 2011 spot.

2011 Venues Confirmed

FIBA Europe has announced the official venues for the 2011 Youth European Championships, during the meeting of its Board in Munich, Germany, on Sunday.

Ten countries will organise the 12 Division A and B tournaments which will see a combined participation of over 200 teams.

Spain and Poland were approved as the U20 and U18 Men's tournaments hosts but the venues will be confirmed on a later date.

The 2011 Youth European Championships hosts:

MEN
U20 DIVISION A TBC, Spain
U20 DIVISION B Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
U18 DIVISION A TBC, Poland
U18 DIVISION B Varna, Bulgaria
U16 DIVISION A Pardubice/Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
U16 DIVISION B Skopje, F.Y.R. of Macedonia

WOMEN
U20 DIVISION A Novi Sad, Serbia
U20 DIVISION B Ohrid, F.Y.R. of Macedonia
U18 DIVISION A Oradea, Romania
U18 DIVISION B Miskolc, Hungary
U16 DIVISION A Cagliari, Italy
U16 DIVISION B Arad, Romania

Press Release: FIBA Europe