Israel to host Turkey in preparation for FIBA EuroBasket 2017

TEL AVIV (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) – Israel's preparations for FIBA EuroBasket 2017 are in full swing, with the team’s summer training programme and first exhibition games set. The Israeli side will be hosting the Turkish national team for a friendly tournament in August.

The initial contact between the two national federations was established following the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Draw in Istanbul, where Israel head coach Erez Edelstein and national team director Motti Daniel met with representatives of the Turkish Basketball Federation and agreed on the friendly between the FIBA EuroBasket co-hosts.

Israel Basketball Association President Amiram Halevy is looking forward to welcoming the Turkish team to Israel ahead of September’s FIBA EuroBasket: "We see hosting Turkey of paramount importance. Sport has always been a bridge between people, cultures and religions, and our relations with the Turkish Basketball Federation are excellent. We are preparing the tournament at the highest level and expect a great basketball experience."

Israel will play host to Group B (Ukraine, Israel, Lithuania, Georgia, Italy, and Germany) in Tel Aviv, while Group D (Great Britain, Russia, Serbia, Latvia, Turkey, and Belgium) as well as the Final Phase of Europe’s premier basketball event will be staged in Istanbul. The remaining two Group Phase groups will be played in Finnish capital Helsinki, and in the Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca.

FIBA EuroBasket 2017 will take place from 31 August to 17 September.

FIBA