CLUJ-NAPOCA/HELSINKI/ISTANBUL/TEL AVIV (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - The four host cities - Cluj-Napoca, Helsinki, Istanbul and Tel Aviv - received new landmarks on Wednesday, unveiling life-size #EuroBasket2017 hashtags, marking exactly one year to the tip-off of Europe’s premier basketball event.

At exactly midday (GMT+3) in the four cities, the giant hashtags were revealed in prominent locations, as one of the many promotional activities that will take place in the build-up to FIBA EuroBasket 2017, which will be played out from 31 August to 17 September next year.

Eroilor Blvd in Cluj-Napoca, Helsinki Central Train Station, Abdi Ipekci Arena in Istanbul, and the Port of Tel Aviv are the sites of the sculptures.

"Today is an important day for European basketball. It marks the one year to go milestone for FIBA EuroBasket 2017 and the start of the Qualifiers," commented FIBA Europe President Turgay Demirel, who was onsite for the unveiling in Istanbul.

He continued: "Our four host countries, Finland, Israel, Romania and Turkey, are doing a fantastic job in organising the event and have all marked this special day with the revealing of the big EuroBasket hashtag constructions. This EuroBasket 2017 hashtag is the focus of an exciting social media campaign that will run throughout the year, culminating at the event in 2017."

Fans are encouraged to take a selfie with the hashtag and upload it publicly to their Instagram accounts with the hashtag #EuroBasket2017 to become part of a FIBA EuroBasket 2017 mosaic.

"FIBA EuroBasket 2017 is already on the way to become another unforgettable chapter in European basketball history," added Mr Demirel in conclusion.   

In addition ticket sales starting dates have been announced for each of the four locations. Moving from south to north, tickets for Tel Aviv go on sale on 27 September. Istanbul begins a day later on the 28th, Cluj-Napoca on the 29th and finally Helsinki on the 30th. More details regarding ticket sales will follow in due course.

"We have already been working hard with the four local organising committees for some months and now, with this, the latest in a number milestones, we can really begin to see our work coming to fruition,” enthused FIBA Executive Director Europe Kamil Novak, making reference to previous milestones which included the launch of the official website and the launch of the official logo.

"Obviously, the next major milestone coming up is ticket sales. Following on from the successful four host country model in 2015 which led to unprecedented crowd attendances, we are anticipating the same in 2017."

Wednesday not only marks one year to the Final Round, but the journey also begins for 27 teams hoping to claim one of the 11 remaining tickets to the big event next summer, via the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers.

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FIBA (fiba.com) - the world governing body for basketball - is an independent association formed by 215 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognised as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
 
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