FIBA Europe announced yesterday that Eurobasket 2011 in Lithuania will be expanded to 24 teams instead of 16 after approval of the proposal made by the Lithuanian Basketball Federation to the FIBA Europe Executive Committee.
The move sees the changes to the competition format take place two years earlier than expected and effectively render the last month of qualifying games unecessary. With only 25 teams competing in Division A, it means only one of them will miss out on a place at Eurobasket.
FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin commented:
“The expansion is meant to follow the rapid development of European Basketball. Proof for this development can be found at the FIBA World Championship where 9 of the 10 participating European Teams advanced from the Preliminary Round to participate in the Eight-Finals.”
FIBA Europe President Olafur Rafnsson added:
“After it was clear that EuroBasket 2013 will be played with 24 teams we are now even more pleased that the expansion could be carried out two years earlier. European Basketball is stronger than ever and now the time has come to stay abreast of changes and, together with our Lithuanian friends, organise the biggest and best ever EuroBasket.”
I’m not a fan of this move to be honest. Changing the format of a competition when the competition is already under way is not cool in my opinion. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!
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