France, Spain, Sweden and Ukraine to learn which countries will co-host FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021

MUNICH (Germany) - France, Spain, Sweden and Ukraine will learn on Monday which countries are to stage FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021, the 38th edition of the event.

With none of the bids calling for hosting the event single-handedly, the Group Phase will be co-hosted. One of the co-hosts will also organize the Final Phase.

The host announcement will be streamed on all FIBA social media platforms at 11:30 GMT+2.

Now back-to-back champions of Europe after their recent FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 triumph in Belgrade, Spain is among the candidates to organize the next edition of the tournament. 

A major powerhouse of women's basketball, Spain played host to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 in Tenerife. But it has been over three decades since the country organized its last FIBA Women's EuroBasket, all the way back in 1987.

"I've been a witness of the growth of women's basketball in my country, but we still think there is a potential to keep growing. This is a big reason and motivation for us to be part of the organization of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021," said Spanish star Alba Torrens, herself a two-time FIBA EuroBasket winner in 2013 and 2017.

"It was an amazing experience for me to see from inside the work, dedication and passion by the Spanish Basketball Federation put in organizing the last World Cup. It went beyond just the basketball games, it was awesome to feel how the fans, authorities, media, sponsors were involved. Everybody around it enjoyed it so much. The fact makes us so proud about the positive influence on the women's basketball community, on and off the court. We would love to have this opportunity again."

Having medaled in all six editions of FIBA Women's EuroBasket since 2009, fellow bidders France had to settle for a runner-up finish in Belgrade for their fourth consecutive silver medal at the continental level.  

"It would mean everything to play in front of our fans, who have been following us from the beginning, even when we were not so successful. To be grateful for all the employees that work in the Federation for all the work they do every year and to have the chance to reward all of them with a medal," said France's Sandrine Gruda, who complemented the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 podium finish with All-Star Five honors in Belgrade.

France hosted FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2013 in Lille, Mouilleron-le-Captif, Orchies, Trelaze and Vannes, as well as the the 2001, 1976 and 1962 editions of the tournament previously. 

Sweden too have designs on bringing the flagship event closer to the country's basketball fans, especially coming off a successful showing at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019, which produced a sixth-place finish and a ticket to next year's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Johannes Wohlert, Head of Communications at Swedish Basketball Federation said: "Sweden hosting the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021 would make history since no Scandinavian country has ever hosted the tournament. On a more practical level, it means everyone in Swedish basketball will have a great event to rally around. The Swedish women's national team will peak with the perfect blend of youth and experience. With all the girls' basketball projects we are launching, the legacy will be very strong, and the effects of this tournament will be seen for decades to come."

Already in the exclusive club of FIBA Women's EuroBasket champions, having won the title in 1995, Ukraine's sights are now also set on organizing its first ever tournament. With the  exciting and one-of-a-kind talent Alina Iagupova leading the charge for the national team, the country's basketball has a bright future, even if the latest campaign fell short of expectations.

"Hosting FIBA Women's EuroBasket would mean resurrecting the great traditions of women's basketball in Ukraine," said Grigorii Paliy, the Advisor to the President of the Ukrainian Basketball Federation. "Deep roots and good traditions, as well as our desire to make basketball more popular are the reasons for our bid. Ukraine never hosted a major women's basketball event, but our fans deserve these high quality games."

The  recently-finished FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 is a successful example of multi-host synergy, with Group Phase games played in the Latvian capital Riga and Serbian cities of Nis and Zrenjanin, and the Final Phase taking place at the Belgrade Arena. 

Two years ago, the FIBA Women's EuroBasket was held in the Czech Republic, while FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2015 was co-hosted by Hungary and Romania.

FIBA