ZAGREB (EuroBasket 2015) - The President of the Republic of Croatia, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, and FIBA Europe President Turgay Demirel jointly declared EuroBasket 2015 open during a Ceremony in the Croatian capital Zagreb on Thursday evening.

They were joined by other dignitaries in Zagreb's main square, Ban Jelacic Square, including Minister of Science, Education and Sports, Vedran Mornar; Zagreb City Mayor Milan Bandic; and Croatian Basketball Federation President Ivan Suker as well as a big number of legendary Croatia players.

President Grabar-Kitarovic praised the decision to have Croatia play host not only of a Group Phase part but also of the Opening Ceremony of the event.

"I am delighted that we have been given the honour to organise the Opening Ceremony of the entire EuroBasket competition," she said.

"I hope that all the national teams and the fans from abroad will take home only the best impressions of Zagreb and Croatia.

"Today Croatia has excellent young players who have built theirs and our national basketball future on firm foundations. Major competitions like EuroBasket are important to further encourage and inspire the young to strive for success."

In his speech, Mr Demirel reminded the audience that the 1989 EuroBasket in Zagreb was the setting for one of the greatest EuroBaskets of all time.

"European legends like Drazen Petrovic led their teams to the podium," said Demirel.

"They inspired a younger generation of athletes to chase after their basketball dreams. This year Croatia, France, Germany, and Latvia will serve as the stage for a new generation of legends to take their place in basketball history.

"FIBA Europe's decision to play this tournament in four countries reflects our commitment to bringing basketball directly to the fans who love it."

Mr Suker added that "hosting EuroBasket is one of the most exciting times in Croatian Basketball history."

For the first time in its history, EuroBasket will be hosted by more than one country with the Group Phase taking place from 5-10 September in Berlin, Germany; Montpellier, France; Riga, Latvia; and Zagreb, Croatia.

The French city of Lille will play host to the Final Phase in the 27,000-seat Pierre Mauroy Stadium from 12-20 September.

This unique hosting situation has led to an unprecedented number of ticket sales, with over 460,000 of them already gone.

All games will be broadcast online via livebasketball.tv, as well via FIBA's more than 160 broadcast partners around the world.

click here for a full list of FIBA's EuroBasket 2015 broadcast partners.

Go to eurobasket2015.org for complete coverage of EuroBasket 2015.

FIBA