EuroBasket is to move to a shorter format from 2017 with the elimination of the second round group stage, following widespread criticism of the length of this summer’s tournament in Slovenia.
The move, 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 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.
U20 Men Division A: Greece
U20 Men Division B: Bosnia and Herzegovina
U18 Men Division A: Turkey
U18 Men Division B: Ukraine
U18 Men Division C: Andorra
U16 Men Division A: Latvia
U16 Men Division B: FYR of Macedonia
U16 Men Division C: Malta
U20 Women Division A: Italy
U20 Women Division B: Bulgaria
U18 Women Division A: Portugal
U18 Women Division B: Romania
U18 Women Division C: Andorra
U16 Women Division A: Hungary
U16 Women Division B: Estonia
U16 Women Division C: Malta
The host cities will be confirmed in early 2014.
It was confirmed during the Board that the European Championship of the Small Countries 2014 will be held in Gibraltar and Austria (St. Polten) for men and women respectively, with Scotland and Wales likely to be involved in both.
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