UKRAINE’S EUROBASKET HOSTING IN DOUBT
- Updated: February 27, 2014
The 2015 edition of EuroBasket could be moved out of Ukraine due to the current political instability in the country.
FIBA Europe’s board will meet next month to appraise the situation which has thrown major doubt on the Ukrainians’ ability to host the tournament, which will also be one of the main qualification events for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Officials from the organising committee met with FIBA Europe in Munich this week and although they remain hopeful of progress, the security situation in the capital Kiev, where over 100 people have been killed amid protests – and the threat of Russian intervention from the Crimea – could lead to EuroBasket being moved elsewhere, with a number of other countries understood to be in the frame as potential replacements.
“FIBA Europe fully understands the problems and the issues that the organisers are currently facing because of the political instability in the country,” the governing body said, in a statement.
“FIBA Europe will continue to stay in close contact with them as well as continue to monitor the situation independently.”
Ukraine, who are coached by ex-NBA play caller Mike Fratello, qualified for this summer’s World Cup by finishing sixth at EuroBasket 2013 in Slovenia.
Great Britain will attempt to qualify for next year’s finals when they take on Iceland and Bosnia in August.
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