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5 APRIL 2019  Share Tweet Forward Share Antwerp to host Basketball Champions League Final Four MIES (Switzerland) - The city of Antwerp has been awarded the hosting of the 2019 Basketball Champions League Final Four. Four teams, representing four different countries, will be participating in the pinnacle event of the Basketball Champions League’s third season which will be played over the first weekend of May in the city of Antwerp (Belgium). The games will be played in the Sportpaleis (18'500 seating capacity), largest arena among all Final Four participants, and one of the largest indoor venues in Europe. The city and the arena also benefit from a long-time experience in event management, and especially in international sport events. The qualified teams are the following (in alphabetical order): Brose Bamberg (GER), Iberostar Tenerife (ESP), Segafredo Virtus Bologna (ITA) and Telenet Giants Antwerp (BEL).

The Belgian host, currently co-leader of the Belgian League, is having an impressive year, recently winning the Belgian Cup against arch rivals Filou Oostende. Emerging from the first round of Qualifications, they finished the Regular Season of the Basketball Champions League at the 4th position of Group C, and then eliminated the Spanish side UCAM Murcia, and the Russian team of Nizhny Novgorod, in the Round of 16 and the Quarter-Finals. The other three qualified clubs complete a very competitive Final Four line-up with Brose Bamberg, recent German Cup winners vs Alba Berlin, Iberostar Tenerife, first BCL champions, and Segafredo Virtus Bologna, historical powerhouse among the most titled clubs in Europe. As part of this host city announcement, the logo of the 2019 Final Four has also been unveiled:

"We're very excited to have Antwerp host the third Basketball Champions League Final Four. We have witnessed the fervent enthusiasm of the club and the passionate support of the local community. We are all thrilled to have the opportunity to award this Final Four to such an impressive environment, at the home of this season's amazing Cinderella story. The home club that started in the Qualification Rounds can now host one of our sports' most important events in one of Europe's most impressive arenas, in a city with a long tradition of organizing major functions. This first weekend of May will see the participation of four clubs coming from four different leagues and will guarantee a unique weekend for basketball fans across Europe," said Patrick Comninos, CEO of the Basketball Champions League. "Our club is honoured and thrilled to be the host of the Basketball Champions League Final Four. We are experiencing an unlikely season by winning the Belgian Cup and by able to compete now with top teams in Europe. Together with the Sportpaleis group and the city of Antwerp we intend to make this a unique top event for fans, players and promote basketball in our country," said Roger Roels, President of Telenet Giants Antwerp. "The city of Antwerp is delighted to have been chosen to host the Basketball Champions League Final Four 2019. We already had wonderful European basketball nights this season with the Telenet Giants Antwerp and are very happy that the Final Four will also be played in Antwerp. We're honored to receive the BCL and will do everything to make it a smashing basketball party for all basketball fans," added Ludo Van Campenhout, vice-Mayor of Antwerp. The Semi-Finals will be played on Friday 3 May, with the Third-Place Game and Final scheduled for Sunday 5 May. The draw determining the pairings will be held next week, on Wednesday 10 April in Antwerp. Ticketing information will be announced soon after the draw. A media accreditation portal will be opened at the end of next week.

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About Basketball Champions League
The Basketball Champions League is an innovative 50-50 joint partnership between FIBA and 11 top European leagues. It is a fair competition based on sporting principles with teams qualifying through national leagues.

For further information about the Basketball Champions League, visit championsleague.basketball or follow us on facebook.com/basketballCL, twitter.com/basketballCL,  instagram.com/basketballCL and youtube.com/basketballCL.