BERLIN & PRAGUE (Germany & Czech Republic) - The countdown to FIBA EuroBasket 2022 started officially in Milan and Tbilisi on Tuesday with the launch of '100 Days To Go' activities, while Berlin and Prague picked up the baton on Wednesday.

The German and Czech capitals provided the backdrop to a variety of happenings to mark the 100-day milestone, helping increase even more the already sky-high excitement among fans in host cities.

The unveiling of the Tissot Countdown Clock took center stage in Berlin, a stone throw's away from EuroBasket Arena, where the big Final of Europe's flagship event will take place on September 18.

Dennis Schroder, the German national team's star point guard was in attendance to interact with fans and headline a distinguished panel that also included German State Secretary for Sport Dr. Bocker-Giannini, German Basketball Federation president Ingo Weiss and Local Organizing Committee president Stephan Herwig.

"When I think back to the games at EuroBasket 2015 in Berlin, I still get goosebumps. There was a great atmosphere in the arena, the whole of Germany was behind us," Schroder said.

"Of course I hope the same for EuroBasket 2022, because we need all the support from the fans. In any case, I can hardly wait to play again in Germany in front of the home crowd in a sold-out arena.

"We need to get together as a team quickly this summer and develop chemistry like last summer. It doesn't matter which line-up we will compete with. If we stick together as a team, a lot of things are possible. Aiming at a medal is an ambitious goal, but if we don't aim for that when we play a EuroBasket at home, then I don't know when we should," the German player added.

A star point guard was on hand also in Prague as the focal point of activities with Czech national team leader Tomas Satoransky making time to chat with fans and media, accompanied by young teammate Ondrej Sehnal; the mayor of the Czech capital, Zdenek Hrib; Czech Basketball Federation secretary general Michal Konecny and Czech national team head coach Ronen Ginzburg.

"It will be special for me because I am from Prague and I have not played many games with the national team here," Satoransky said. "Of course, there is also a lot of pressure and interest from people and friends, especially when it comes to tickets," he added jokingly.

FIBA EuroBasket 2022 is set to tip off on September 1 with Tbilisi playing host to Group A, Cologne hosting Group B, Milan providing the stage for Group C and Prague hosting Group D.

The teams that qualify for the knockout stage of the showpiece tournament will transfer to Berlin, where the Final Phase will get underway on September 10.

FIBA