SLO/FIBA - Thumbs-up for the FIBA Europe U20 championship

NOVA GORICA (FIBA Europe U20 championship) - Two neighbouring cities that share even the name, but not the capital are getting ready to host this year's Young men (U-20) European championship in July. Two FIBA Europe representatives inspected the accommodation and playing facilities last week. Their assessment was positive and the organizers fulfilled their expectations.

"The organizers impressed me. Four months before the beginning of the Championship they are aware of their duties and responsibilities," said Richard Stokes from FIBA Europe's Sports Department.

"The towns are custom-made to host the first basketball competition which will be held in two countries."

He and FIBA Europe's Isabella Della Fiori were hosted by Andrej Miska and Jernej Valentincic from the local organizing committee while Alenka Skreblin and Matej Avanzo represented the Slovenian basketball federation.

They inspected the facilities on both sides of the border and met with the commissions that help prepare the tournament.

The event will virtually be the second most important event organized by FIBA Europe in 2007. It will be played from 6th to 15th July in Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Gorizia (Italy). The cities will split the round-robin games while the final phase will be played entirely in Slovenia.

Simon Licen
FIBA