LJUBLJANA (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - FIBA EuroBasket 2017 fever is sweeping the continent as fans pack out venues to wish their national teams well before they begin their quests for European glory next week.

Games have been taking place across Europe through August as the 24 teams bound for FIBA EuroBasket 2017 ramp up their preparations. The games provide fans what in recent years has been hard to come by: a chance to see their national teams playing on home soil.

This, however, is all set to change with the introduction in November of FIBA's new competition system that will see national teams around the world playing meaningful home and away games in qualifiers for Continental Cups and the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

If the numbers witnessed in the preparation games for FIBA EuroBasket 2017 are anything to go by, then we can expect to see packed venues on a regular basis come November.

Arena Riga, which hosted a Group Phase of Europe's flagship event in 2015, saw a sold-out crowd of 10,500 on August 19, when Latvia hosted neighbors Lithuania, with the Latvians prevailing 87-77.

Stozice Arena, the Final Round venue for FIBA EuroBasket 2013, achieved similar attendance figures on August 24, with more than 12,000 fans showing up to witness Slovenia defeat Croatia 74-73 in a thrilling Balkan derby.

Over in London, the Copper Box Arena - used for handball during the 2012 Olympics - was also packed to the rafters on August 19, when Great Britain pushed powerhouse Greece to the limit, before falling 88-84.

FIBA EuroBasket 2017 tips off on August 31. Tickets can be purchased from here.

FIBA