ARG - Mar del Plata to host the FIBA Americas League Final Four

SAN JUAN (FIBA Americas League) – The city of Mar del Plata, Argentina, was selected as the host of the 2009/2010 FIBA Americas League Final Four to be played on February 4, 5 and 6 at Polideportivo Islas Malvinas. Peñarol Mar del Plata, Quimsa Santiago del Estero (Argentina), Halcones UV Xalapa (Mexico) and Espartanos de Margarita (Venezuela) are the participants that will compete to become the champion of the third edition of the FIBA Americas League.

Polideportivo Islas Malvinas, with a maximum capacity for 9,500 fans, was opened in 1995 for the Pan-American Games. It has also been host to many important events like the 2005 FIBA U21 World Championship, the Super 8 Tournament, friendly games of the Argentinean national team, Davis Cup, among others. It was also the host of Group D in the first edition of the FIBA Americas League.

"I am very happy because three of the four teams that qualified (Peñarol, Quimsa and Halcones) showed interest in hosting the Final Four. This means the importance of this club competition in America," said FIBA Americas Secretary General, Alberto Garcia.

"We decided to make it in Mar del Plata because the past two Final Four tournament were held in Mexico (Mexicali and Xalapa) and taking into account the support shown by the Government of the Province of Buenos Aires and the Municipality of General Pueyrredón, we gave the opportunity to Peñarol to be the host," added Garcia.

Peñarol is the current Super 8 champion and was a runner up in the Argentinean National League last season. The team is coached by Sergio Hernandez and has a 7-3 record in the second phase of the Argentinean National League and will look for their second FIBA Americas League title after winning in the first edition played in Mexicali.

Quimsa, Halcones de Xalapa and Peñarol entered the Final Four with a 3-0 record while Espartanos qualified with a 2-1 mark, eliminating Flamengo, Capitanes de Arecibo and Halcones Rojos.

Players like Román González, Julio Mázzaro, Bruno Ingratta (Quimsa), Héctor Romero, Clarence Matthews (Espartanos), Victor Mariscal, Leandro García Morales, Victor Ávila, Jack Michael Martínez (Halcones), Leo Gutiérrez, Martín Leiva, Raimundo Legaria, Sebastián Rodríguez (Peñarol) are the main figures in the Final Four.

"We wish good luck to the four participants who won their respective groups and entered the Final Four," said Garcia.

Final Four Schedule:

Thursday, February 4:
8.30 pm. Halcones Xalapa (MEX) vs. Quimsa Santiago del Estero (ARG)
10.40 pm Peñarol Mar del Plata (ARG) vs. Espartanos Isla Margarita (VEN)

Friday, February 5:
8.00 pm. Espartanos Isla Margarita (VEN) vs. Halcones Xalapa (MEX)
10.00 pm Quimsa Santiago del Estero (ARG) vs. Peñarol Mar del Plata (ARG)

Saturday, February 6:
8.00 pm. Quimsa Santiago del Estero (ARG) vs. Espartanos Isla Margarita (VEN)
10.00 pm Peñarol Mar del Plata (ARG) vs. Halcones Xalapa (MEX)

*Local time of Mar del Plata

The games will be televised on FOX Sports and live stats are going to be available on www.fibaamericas.com

FIBA Americas League Champions:
2007/2008 Peñarol Mar del Plata (Argentina)
2008/2009 Universo/BRB (Brazil)