Bilbao to host Basketball Champions League Final 4 / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

FIBA Champions League Final 4 will be hosted in Spain.

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Despite Istanbul being mentioned as a very likely leading candidate to host the Final 4, it turns out that the season conclusion will take place in Bilbao.

FIBA officially announced that theseason-ending tournament will be organized from May 6-8, 2022, and signals the first time the arena of a non-participating team is selected as host.

The games are set to take place in the Bilbao Arena (10.000 seating capacity), the regular home court of Surne Bilbao Basket.

"We are very excited to have Bilbao host the Basketball Champions League Final 4. We are grateful to the city of Bilbao, the Spanish local and regional authorities, the Spanish Basketball Federation and the ACB for their commitment to helping us organize this event in the best and safest way possible for all stakeholders, especially the players and the accompanying members of all qualified teams.

We have acknowledged the fervor of the city to organize this historical event and we look forward to working together to deliver a fantastic season-ending tournament," said Patrick Comninos, CEO of the Basketball Champions League."Despite the challenging situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to award this Final 4 to an environment that has proven experience in organizing top-level basketball events. This will guarantee a unique weekend of basketball for fans across Europe," he added.

Credit FIBA

The Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, is very pleased with the holding of this event in Bilbao: "Once again, Bilbao proves to be an attractive city for major international sporting events".

Points this season

45%79,2Points made:79,2Accuracy:45,4%Place in standings:11Record max:101Record min:57Best scorer:Gabe OlaseniTeamBCLStatisticsSchedule

"Bilbao will host this great event of basketball at the Bilbao Arena and I hope that both fans and all those who visit us can enjoy a fantastic event, and also take advantage to know and discover our city, our gastronomy, our shops and our traditions," he added.

"For the Spanish Basketball Federation, it is a great pleasure and honor to see Bilbao hosting the Final 4 of the BCL, a great competition where Spanish teams usually perform very well," proclaimed Jorge Garbajosa, President of the Spanish Basketball Federation and FIBA Central Board member.

"Organising such a major event is no easy task, but in such a great arena, and with the expertise of the local authorities of Bilbao, with the support of Surne Bilbao Basket club and all relevant stakeholders, the ACB league and the Spanish Basketball Federation, we will do our best to organize the best event possible.

The level of the previous editions of the Final 4 or Final 8 will be challenging to match because they were excellent events, but we will do our very best to help this competition to develop and grow this year as well," he added.Antonio Martin, ACB President and Member of the BCL Board stated that "having the BCL Final 4 at Bilbao is great news for Spanish basketball. Bilbao will be a perfect host, has a great arena and the city is perfectly suited for an event that grows every year".

The Round of 16 has started on January 25 and will conclude on March 23, 2022.

A Draw will determine the Quarter-Finals, which will be played over the month of April, and Final 4 brackets and will take place on March 25.

The Semi-Finals will be played in Bilbao on May 6,with the Third-Place Game and Final scheduled for May 8.

The event will be organized in accordance with the FIBA Return to Play Protocol and the relevant regulations applicable by the Spanish authorities.

The decision concerning the presence of fans in the arena will be taken at a later stage and in accordance with the rules and regulations set by the Spanish official authorities.

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