TEL AVIV (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) – The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of FIBA EuroBasket 2017 co-hosts, Israel confirmed planning for this summer's big event is on track, as well as announcing that additional tickets are now going on sale, in a press conference on Wednesday.

The press conference was attended by Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Hulday, Minister of Sport and Culture Miri Regev and national team captain Omri Casspi.

Mayor Hulday expressed his pleasure at his city being selected as the host city of FIBA EuroBasket 2017. "Our city is used to hosting big events - we are happy to welcome all the visitors from abroad and we thank FIBA and the federation for choosing Tel Aviv as host city."

Regev acknowledged that FIBA EuroBasket 2017 is not only a major event for Tel Aviv, but in fact the entire Israel. "This is the biggest and most important event for Israel this year.

"The fact that we are hosting FIBA EuroBasket 2017 also shows the strong connection between the Israeli basketball federation and FIBA and I thank Amiram Halevy for bringing this big event to Israel."

Meanwhile, Casspi, who has just arrived back in the city following his season with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA, said that despite the tournament still being more than three months away, the anticipation of the competition could already be felt. "It is a big honor for me to stand here as the captain of the Israeli national team.

"I have been here for two weeks and I can already feel the excitement. It is a great opportunity to play in front of our friends, families and fans who will be our power. It is a tough group but we want to keep the pace from the last EuroBasket and qualify for Istanbul."

In other major news to come out of the press conference, the LOC announced that further ticketing options are now available, including a Follow Your Team package, which went on sale Thursday. All ticket options can be found here.

FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Group Phase Group B, featuring Georgia, Germany, Israel, Italy, Lithuania and Ukraine will take place in Tel Aviv from August 31 to September 6.

FIBA