The organisation of EuroBasket 2007 started in 2004 within the structure of the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB).  It was then, upon the commencement of his duties as president, that Jose Luis Saez saw the opportunity of organising a major international competition that could take full advantage of the tremendous potential of the Spanish National Team.

		Jose Luis Saez

To that end, Jose Antonio Montero, a former national team player and currently Director of International Relations for the FEB, was commissioned by Saez to initiate the project and create the working team of professionals that would make this passionate adventure possible.

On the 28th of November of 2004, FIBA Europe, the highest ranking entity in European basketball, voted during its Executive Board meeting held in Tallin to entrust the organisation of EuroBasket 2007 to the Spanish Basketball Federation. Madrid, in between bids for hosting the Summer Olympic Games of 2012 and 2016, was deemed to be the ideal venue for the event, thanks to the city’s numerous sports facilities, with the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid and the Madrid Arena as the most outstanding. The next step was to designate the additional venues and agreements were immediately reached with Seville, Granada, Alicante and  Palma de Mallorca, as well as Mahon, where the Addidtional Qualifying Tournament will be staged in late August.

With the backing of all the Spanish sports authorities and the local and autonomous governments of the different venues, EuroBasket counts on the complete support of the institutions needed to guarantee the success of the event. Spain has shown a great ability for the organisation of sports events, and through its different candidatures, Spain has contributed to the popularization of the sport of basketball, not only in

		Former Real Madrid star Alberto Herreros at the EuroBasket 2007 qualifying round draw in Madrid.

Spain, but also in Europe and the rest of the world. The organisational capacity of the autonomous federations, together with the decisive character of Spanish leaders, have made it possible for the many international competitions that make up the basketball calendar to be celebrated at one time or another in Spain. EuroBasket will held in Spain for the third time. Barcelona was the main venue for both the 1973 and 1997 editions.

The first official function of EuroBasket was the draw for the four qualifying groups which took place at the Madrid Congress Center on the 19th of October of 2006. Taking advantage of the significance of the event, Spanish basketball paid homage to its international players from different time periods, especially those who won the legendary Silver Medal during the 1984 Olympic Games.

To see the structure of the organising committee, click here.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Organising Committee EuroBasket 2007
Avda. de Burgos, 8-A  9ª planta
28036 MADRID
Tel: +34-91-3832050
Fax: +34-91-3027431