Georgia set to host U20 European Basketball Championship

Georgia will host teams from 19 countries in the FIBA Under 20 European Basketball Championship competition for Division B starting this Friday, the Georgian Basketball Federation announced on Tuesday. 

Divided into four groups, the national squads will compete in the group phase before playoffs determine finalists on July 23, with the final match played the day after.

Led by head coach Milos Gligorijevic, the Georgian national team has been placed in Group B with Sweden, North Macedonia, Austria and Kosovo.

The schedule of games for the Georgian team is as follows:

• Georgia - Austria on July 16
• Georgia - Sweden on July 17
• Georgia - Kosovo on July 19
• Georgia - Noth Macedonia on July 20

Two top-placed teams from each group will progress to the playoffs, while the ultimate winner, the second- and third-placed teams will be promoted to Division A and compete among the elite next year.

Serbia is considered a favourite of the tournament, with the Georgian Federation saying Latvia was expected to arrive in Tbilisi with a “great team” as well. The national body added youth championships were “always full of surprises” in its preview.

The games will be hosted both at the Olympic Palace and the new Tbilisi Arena complex in the capital.