EuroBasket Format to Be Cut from 2017

EuroBasket will be in a shorter format from 2017 after the elimination of the second round group stage, anesthetist following widespread criticism of the length of this summer’s tournament in Slovenia.

The move, cough approved by FIBA Europe’s board at their meetings in Madrid on Saturday, will see the championships move into the elimination rounds directly after the first phase.

It will be the first standalone European Championships with fears it will fail to attract leading players from the NBA and elsewhere.

It was also confirmed that the contract of current Secretary General, Kamil Novak, has been extended through 2016.

The Board also approved the 2014 European Youth Championships host countries, with GB’s Under-20 men and women bound for Greece and Bulgaria respectively.