HELSINKI (FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Trophy Tour) – The FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Trophy Tour rolled into Helsinki over the weekend – the second of the four host nations to host the Trophy Tour over the course of the week.

The trip to Helsinki brought a conclusion to a busy week for the Trophy Tour, which also took in Group C host city Cluj-Napoca in Romania and Milan in Italy.

Finland's national team, the Susijengi, officially tipped off their warm-up to FIBA EuroBasket 2017 with an internal scrimmage game on Friday night. Highlighted by the appearance of the recently-drafted Lauri Markkanen, the exclusive game was held in front of a fortunate 1,200 fans who won their tickets via a ballot and were encouraged to get up-close and meet their idols.

Of course, along with the players, the fans also got the chance to take photos with the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 trophy, as well as getting to know the official mascot, Sam Dunk, a little better.

"This evening has been a great success," observed Director of the Finland Local Organizing Committee for FIBA EuroBasket 2017, Ari Tammivaara. "The reality of what is about to take place sees anticipation growing daily. Having the players accessible to the fans tonight, as well as having the trophy here, emphasizes that."

On Saturday, Sam Dunk and the Nikolai Semashko Trophy took in a tour of Helsinki's sights, as well as stopping in on the Finnish 3x3 Tour. The Trophy was receiving no shortage of attention at each of Helsinki's iconic locations.

"This is incredibly important for the event," claimed Tammivaara. "Whilst yesterday was about giving back to the fans, today we are raising awareness of the event, and attracting attention from people who did not necessarily know anything about FIBA EuroBasket 2017, prior to seeing the trophy here in the beautiful surroundings of our capital city, today."

Just nine stops remain on the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Trophy Tour, with Moscow the next one on the list, from July 27 to 30.

FIBA