FIBA Europe approves shorter Eurobasket

The duration and competition system for Eurobasket will be changed from 2017 onwards after the FIBA Europe Board (image) met in Madrid to discuss making the tournament shorter. The board approved the proposed changes and the tournament will take on those changes from and including the 2017 competition.

The changes include the removal of the second round phase in favour of teams jumping straight to a knockout phase after progressing from the group stages. FIBA Europe hopes that its jewel in the crown will be more attractive to advertisers and fans in this shorter format that pits teams against each other in knockout competition sooner than in previous tournaments.

The decision comes after a number of meetings between board members and several stakeholders in the game. As well as changing Eurobasket, the board also further discussed an ongoing review of youth basketball, with several of the sports major authorities meeting (after a previous coming together in Munich) to share and discuss their specific youth policies and put forward a roadmap for youth development around the continent.

Also decided at the meeting was the elevation of deceased FIBA Europe president Olafur Rafnsson to the status of Posthumous Honorary FIBA Europe member.