EuroBasket 2015 Trophy Tour in full swing

LJUBLJANA/WARSAW/OHRID/ANTWERP (EuroBasket 2015) - Frenkie and the Nikolai Semashko Trophy have completed a whirlwind first week to August which took in stops in Ljubljana, Warsaw, Ohrid and Antwerp.

Ljubljana on 4 August provided a sentimental setting for Frenkie, who got to hang out with older brother, EuroBasket 2013 mascot Lipko. The pair hit if off immediately and entertained the crowd with their antics, during the second of two friendly games between hosts Slovenia and Australia.

Despite the additional support, Slovenia could not back up their win from an evening previous, falling 66-51 to the reigning FIBA Oceania champions.

A day later came the next stop on the list: one of the host cities of EuroBasket 2009, Warsaw. However, there was not too much time to get sentimental during a Media Day in the Polish capital, with a stop in Ohrid on Saturday just around the corner.

There the trophy was on display at a pre-EuroBasket tournament featuring host nation, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (MKD), Israel and Ukraine. The hosts were in fine form, winning both of their encounters.

"I would like to give great gratitude to FIBA for organising the Trophy Tour and the opportunity to see the trophy in the countries of the participants," stated The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (MKD) Basketball Federation President, Petar Naumoski. He went on to add: "We have the possibility to represent our country in the best possible fashion through the city of Ohrid.

"The opportunity to spend time with the Trophy makes us grow together as sports workers and we wish one day for our basketball players to hold this Trophy aloft on the winner's throne."

His feelings were echoed by national team captain Vlado Ilievski.

"We are proud that the Trophy Tour is here. Three times in a row we have participated in EuroBasket and that is motivation for us to try and win it. It is an honour to spend some time with the Trophy today."

The week then concluded on Sunday in Antwerp, Belgium, where the trophy was on display at the friendly game between Belgium and Greece.

Perhaps spurred on by the sight of the Trophy so close by, Belgium stunned the visiting Greeks 64-59.

This week is no less busy for the Trophy Tour, starting on Monday in Brno, Czech Republic before moving on to the U16 European Championship Men in Kaunas, Lithuania, before crossing back to the other side of the continent to be in Leiden, Netherlands on Sunday.

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

FIBA