Great Britain to Return to the Copper Box for Eurobasket Qualifiers

By Sam Neter on March 20, 2014

British Basketball has announced that the Great Britain Senior Men’s team will return to the Copper Box Arena to play its two home qualifying games for EuroBasket 2015 in August.

Last summer, 7,000 fans filled the iconic venue at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as GB overcame Puerto Rico, prior to EuroBasket 2013.

In 2014, the team’s task is to reach a fourth successive EuroBasket Finals, despite having their funding withdrawn from UK Sport. To do so, they need to overcome Group A rivals Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iceland in their Second Qualification Round.

“We’re thrilled to be able to have games of this magnitude taking place in London and based on last summer, we are confident fans will turn out in big numbers to show their support and appreciation for the sport and the team,” said British Basketball’s Head of Operations, Sinéad Gordon.

“With funding having been withdrawn despite the excellent progress, we would encourage everyone associated with the sport to get behind the National Team even more than ever, as we look to qualify for EuroBasket 2015.

“We got off to a positive start with Greenwich Leisure Ltd. (GLL) last year and had the honour of being the first basketball event to be staged on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park following its reopening. We look forward to continue to working closely with them again ahead of this summer’s internationals.”

The game against Bosnia and Herzegovina will take place on Wednesday, 13 August in a 7.30pm tip-off, with the visitors looking to new head coach Dusko Ivanovic to get them back to the Finals. The play-caller is one of the most recognisable faces in the European game and infamous for his temperamental coaching style. Ivanovic is also credited with having had a huge impact on the career of marquee player and captain Mirza Teletovic, when he was under his wing at Laboral Kutxa Baskonia.

Iceland meanwhile will be out to spring an upset when they come to the capital a week later on Wednesday, 20 August in another game which will get underway at 7.30pm. Iceland has shown that they are not a team to be taken lightly and they should not be underestimated with the likes of the prolific Jon Stefansson and powerful forward Hlynur Baeringsson on board.

Meanwhile BBL Chief Operating Officer, Andy Webb who is overseeing the event, is delighted the games will be back at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. He said, “The Copper Box Arena is a superb venue and because of its’ close ties with the Olympics, I am sure it will help to inspire everyone to come even closer together, both on and off the court, in order to get the results needed.”

The full schedule for the GB Senior Men’s Second Qualification Round games:

Sunday 10th August, Time TBC, Iceland vs Great Britain
Wednesday 13th August, 19:30, Great Britain vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, The Copper Box Arena
Wednesday 20th August, 19:30, Great Britain vs Iceland, The Copper Box Arena
Sunday 24th August, Time TBC, Bosnia & Herzegovina v Great Britain

Ticket Prices:

Premium Ticket – £30
Standard Ticket – Adult £25/Concession £18

The pre-sale offering 33% off tickets takes place on Monday 24 March at 9am with tickets going on general sale the following week at 9am on Monday 31 March.

Those wanting to get hold of a ticket can do so by visiting The Ticket Factory Website or by calling the box office on 0844 338 8000 from Monday 24 March.

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