Emus to host Spain, Greece and France in Melbourne
In an exciting coup for Australian basketball fans, forty-eight of the world's best junior basketballers will descend on Melbourne to take part in the Under-19 Four Nations Tournament from June 26-28, 2009.
Teams from Spain, Greece and France will take on Australia's Under-19 team, the Emus, at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, hosted by Basketball Australia in partnership with Basketball Victoria.
The event will be the final chance for the Emus to prepare for the FIBA U19 World Championship for Men to be held in Auckland, New Zealand from July 2-12.
The jousting juniors from the top ten internationally ranked* countries Australia, Spain and Greece might have the edge on world number 17 France but the nation that triumphs in Melbourne will get to take bragging rights into the World Championship.
The Aussies will meet Spain in the preliminary rounds in Auckland with the possibility of meeting Greece and France later in the tournament.
All four teams have a strong reputation at the Under-19 level with each able to boast a podium finish in the previous three Under-19 World Championships; Spain claimed the title in 1999, Australia won in 2003 with Andrew Bogut and Brad Newley, while France and Greece won Bronze in 2007 and 2003 respectively.
The Australians will be led by Head Coach Marty Clarke, who coached the Emus to fifth place with an 8-1 win-loss record at the 2007 World Championship in Novi Sad, Serbia.
The winner of the Four Nations round robin tournament will be decided on win-loss records and points differential. LIVE STATS will be available for the event on the Basketball Australia website.
The Emus final selection camp concludes today and the team to contest the Four Nations tournament and World Championship will be announced shortly.
Tournament Schedule
Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, Aughtie Dr, Albert Park
Friday 26th June 2009
6.00pm Spain v Greece
8.00pm Australia v France
Saturday 27th June 2009
6.00pm France v Spain
8.00pm Australia v Greece
Sunday 28th June 2009
2.00pm Greece v France
4.00pm Australia v Spain
Tickets
Available now through Basketball Victoria
P: 03 9927 6666
E: ashley.stewart@basketballvictoria.com.au
Per Day
Adults $10
Children $4
Families (2 adults/2 children) $25
Tournament Passes
Adults $25
Children $10
Families (2 adults/2 children) $55
*International ranking in the FIBA World Rankings for Men combines rankings of Senior and Junior teams.
Article from www.basketballvictoria.com
|
