FIBA - U19 draw will be held in Bangkok

GENEVA (FIBA U19 World Championship Women) - The world's outstanding female basketball talent will meet July 23 - August 2 in Bangkok, Thailand, for the 8th edition of FIBA U19 World Championship for Women.

The best players aged 19 years and younger from sixteen countries and five continents will compete for the most prestigious basketball title in this age category.

The following teams have qualified already:

Argentina
Australia
Brazil
Canada
China
Czech Republic
France
Japan
Korea
Lithuania
Russia
Spain
Thailand
Tunisia
USA.

FIBA will decide shortly on the 16th team. The draw that will divide the 16 teams in four groups of four will be held on 26th February in Bangkok.

Meet the stars of tomorrow!

These players know their game, but their names aren't known yet. The championship is the showcase of talent, determination and the quality of youth programs around the globe. The list of the players, who played in former championships, reads like a who's who of women's basketball.

Stars and Olympic champions such as Lauren Jackson (AUS), Lisa Leslie (USA), Janeth Arcain (BRA), Sui Feifei (CHN), and Ilona Korstine (RUS) have started their international career in this championship.

The championship is now played every two years to give every generation of youngsters a chance to compete on top level and to enhance the development of young players on the international stage.

The first FIBA U19 World Championship for Women was played in 1985 in Colorado Springs, USA, and has been organized 7 times since. The USA are leading the role of honor role with 3 gold medals, whilst the former Soviet Union won the title twice and Australia and the Czech Republic could claim the title once.

Thailand is a new upcoming country in women's basketball and we are happy that they have been chosen as the host for this championship with their strong commitment to develop the sport on youth level. 16 teams from five continents will give the proof that it might be worthwhile to be in Bangkok in summer 2009 and to discover a beautiful country and the brilliant future of women's basketball.

FIBA