EuroBasket 2017 Guide

By Utkan Şahin – Translation: Anıl Can Sedef / info@eurohoops.net

Everything you should know before the big opening of EuroBasket 2017 is right here, on one page!

All the latest updates and news about the teams, preliminary squads, schedules for pre-tournament friendlies and much more…

With each pre-tournament results, our exclusive folder will be updated to give you the most accurate and recent information about all EuroBasket 2017 teams and to prepare you for the big tournament.

Group A (Helsinki)

Finland
France
Iceland
Poland
Slovenia
Greece

Group B (Tel Aviv)

Germany
Italy
Israel
Georgia
Lithuania
Ukraine

Group C (Cluj Napoca)

Czech Republic
Croatia
Montenegro
Hungary
Spain
Romania

Group D (İstanbul)

Belgium
Great Britain
Latvia
Russia
Serbia
Turkey

Finland –  Squad (12 players) – Group A

Jamar Wilson (Estudiantes – PG) 30 games 7.9 points, 1.5 assists, 1.4 rebounds
Teemu Rannikko (Kataja – PG) 52 games 12.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists

Petteri Koponen (Barcelona – G) 59 games 9.3 points, 2.1 assists, 1.9 rebounds
Sasu Salin (Gran Canaria – SG) 50 games 7.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.9 assist – Malaga
Mikko Koivisto (Vilpas – SG) 40 games 9.1 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists

Shawn Huff (Fraport – SF) 29 games 6.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 0.5 assist
Carl Lindbom (Seagulls – SF) 46 games 10.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Matti Nuutinen (Roanne – SF) 34 games 6.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 0.8 assist

Erik Murphy (Strasbourg – PF) 59 games 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.9 assist
Tuukka Kotti (Crailsheim – PF) 28 games 9.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists – Seagulls

Lauri Markkanen (Arizona – PF/C) 37 games 15.6 points, 7.2 riband, 0.9 assist – Bulls
Gerald Lee (Seagulls – C) 36 games 12.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.9 assist

COACH: Henrik Dettman

• 11 players from EuroBasket 2015 roster are in the preliminary squad, only 9 players are still included from FIBA World Cup 2014 team.

Average age of preliminary squad: 29.1 years
Number of players aged 20-25: 1 players
Number of players aged between 25-30: 6 players
Number of players over the age of 30: 5 players
The youngest player in the squad: Lauri Markkanen – 20
The oldest player in the squad: Teemu Rannikko – 36
Average height of preliminary squad: 198.8 average
Number of players under 190 cm: 2 players
Number of players with a height between 190-200 cm: 4 players
Number of players over 200 cm: 6 players
The shortest player in the squad: Jamar Wilson – 1.85
The tallest player in the squad: Lauri Markkanen – 2.13

Distribution of players according to the leagues they play in club level: (Last year)

Korisliiga (Finland): 4 players
NCAA: 1 player
ACB Liga Endesa (Spain): 3 players
EasyCredit Basketball Bundesliga (Germany): 2 players
LNB Pro A (France): 1 player
LNB Pro B (France Second League): 1 player
EuroLeague: 1 player

Schedule of pre-tournament friendlies: (1-7)

29 July Finland-Latvia: 81-85 (Gerald Lee 21 points, Žanis Peiners 16 points) *
04 August Finland-Russia: 75-91 (Sasu Salin 23 points, Vitaly Fridzon 18 points) *
05 August Finland-Israel: 92-97 (Lauri Markkanen 18 points, Gal Mekel 18 points) *
09 August Finland-Italy: 64-78 (Shawn Huff 13 points, Marco Belinelli 15 points) *
11 August Finland-Italy: 70-75 (Lauri Markkanen 19 points, Gigi Datome 14 points) *
12 August Finland-Turkey: 93-88 (Erik Murphy 15 points, Cedi Osman 19 points) *
18 August Finland-Czech Republic: 62-83 (Erik Murphy 10 points, Tomas Satoransky 16 points) *
25 August Finland-Russia: 91-100 (Lauri Markkanen 26 points, Alexey Shved 20 points) *

Depth Chart

PG: Petteri Koponen – Jamar Wilson – Teemu Rannikko
SG: Sasu Salin – Mikko Koivisto
SF: Shawn Huff – Mattu Nuutinen – Carl Lindbom
PF: Erik Murphy – Tuukka Kotti
C : Lauri Markkanen – Gerald Lee

Unavailable / Out or Injured Players

Ville Kaunisto, Hanno Mottola, and Antero Lehto will not play for Finland this summer.

News

• Tuomas Hirvonen, Edon Maxhuni, Shawn Hopkins, Okko Jarvi, Antti Kanervo, Arttu Saarijarvi, Juho Nenonen, Samuli Nieminen, Matias Ojala, Julius Rajala, Ville Kaunisto, Anton Odabaşı, Oskar Michelsen, Mika Nuolivirta and Hannes Pölla were removed from the preliminary squad.
• Τeemu Ranniko will play in the Eurobasket
• Roope Ahonen, Harold Aido, Topias Palmi and Alexander Madsen were removed from the preliminary squad.
• Petteri Koponen started practicing with the team.
• The final roster

France – Squad (12 Players) – Group A

Thomas Heurtel (A. Efes – PG) 68 games 12.4 points, 6.1 assists, 1.9 rebounds – Barcelona
Antoine Diot (Valencia – PG) 55 games 7.9 points, 4.1 assists, 1.9 rebounds
Leo Westermann (Zalgiris – PG) 72 games 7.4 points, 4.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds – CSKA

Nando De Colo (CSKA – G) 52 games 18.3 points, 4.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds
Evan Fournier (Magic – SG) 68 games 17.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists
Edwin Jackson (Estudiantes – SG) 32 games 21.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists – Southern
Axel Toupane (905 Raptors – SF) 36 games 16.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists – Zalgiris

Boris Diaw (Jazz – PF) 73 games 4.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Louis Labeyrie (P. Levallois – PF) 35 games 10.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 0.8 assist – Strasbourg

Kevin Seraphin (Pacers – C) 49 games 4.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.5 assist
Joffrey Lauvergne (Bulls – PF/C) 70 games 5.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.0 assist – Spurs
Vincent Poirier (P. Levallois – C) 41 games 10.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 0.8 block – Baskonia

COACH: Vincent Collet

• 5 players from Rio Olympics 2016 roster are in the preliminary squad, 5 players are still included from EuroBasket 2015 team.

Average age of preliminary squad: 26.8 years
Number of players aged 20-25: 2 players
Number of players aged between 25-30: 8 players
Number of players over the age of 30: 2 players
The youngest player in the squad: Vincent Poirier – 23
The oldest player in the squad: Boris Diaw – 35
Average height of preliminary squad: 200.6 average
Number of players under 190 cm: 1 player
Number of players with a height between 190-200 cm: 4 players
Number of players over 200 cm: 7 players
The shortest player in the squad: Thomas Heurtel – 1.88
The tallest player in the squad: Vincent Poirier – 2.13

Distribution of players according to the leagues they play in club level: (Last year)

EuroLeague: 3 players
NBA: 4 players
LNB Pro A (France): 2 players
ACB Liga Endesa (Spain): 2 players
EasyCredit Basketball Bundesliga (Germany): 1 player
Tahincioğlu Süper Ligi (Turkey): 1 player
VTB League: 1 player
LKL (Lithuania): 1 player

Schedule of pre-tournament friendlies: (6-2)

05 August France-Tunisia 67-53 (Nando De Colo 20 points, Mourad El Mabrouk 14 points) *
08 August France-Croatia: 87-92 (Evan Fournier 24 points, Bojan Bogdanovic 21 points) *
10 August  France-Lithuania: 98-77 (Evan Fournier 17 points, Martynas Gecevicius 14 points) *
15 August France-Lithuania: 71-96 (Nando De Colo 16 points, Mantas Kalnietis 18 points) *
18 August France-Belgium: 85-60 (Evan Fournier 15 points, Sam Van Rossom 9 points) *
19 August France-Montenegro: 100-70 (Nando De Colo 24 points, Tyrese Rice 14 points) *
20 August France-Italy: 88-63 (Joffrey Lauvergne 20 points, Marco Belinelli 15 points) *
27 August France-Germany: 85-79 (Evan Fournier 16 points, Dennis Schroder 23 points) *

Depth Chart

PG: Thomas Heurtel – Antoine Diot – Leo Westermann
SG: Nando De Colo -Edwin Jackson
SF: Evan Fournier – Axel Toupane
PF: Boris Diaw – Louis Labeyrie
C: Joffrey Lauvergne – Kevin Seraphin – Vincent Poirier

Unavailable / Out or Injured Players

Nicolas Batum, Rudy Gobert, Charles Kahudi, Timothe Luwawu, Florent Pietrus, Fabien Causeur and Mickael Gelabale will not play for France this summer.

News

• Gobert will miss the upcoming Eurobasket
• Rodrigue Beaubois was removed from the preliminary squad.
• Luwawu-Cabarrot to miss the EuroBasket
• Moustapha Fall is injured and he is going to miss the Eurobasket.
• Collet: “Our ambitions remain high”
• Fabien Causeur to miss the EuroBasket
• Axel Toupane added to the team
• Diaw: “The goal is the same, win a medal”
• Lauverge and Poirier out of practice until next week
• Livio Jean-Charles and Mathias Lessort were cut
• 150 games for De Colo
• Yakuba Ouattara was cut
• Diot expected to play in EuroBasket despite injury
• France in Berlin with 13 players
• Kim Tillie is the last cut from France

Iceland – Squad (12 players) – Group A

Hörður Vilhjálmsson (Keflavík – PG) 34 games 12.5 points, 5.6 assists, 4.4 rebounds – Astana
Ægir Steinarsson (Burgos – PG) 43 games 5.2 points, 3.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds – TAU Castello
Elvar Fridriksson (Barry – PG) 30 games 17.4 points, 7.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds

Martin Hermannsson (Charleville – SG) 34 games, 17.1 points, 5.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds – Chalon
Logi Gunnarsson (Njardvik – SG) 22 games 20.0 points, 3.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds
Brynjar Bjornsson (KR – G) 32 games 16.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists

Jon Stefánsson (KR – SF) 22 games 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists
Haukur Pálsson (Rouen – PF) 26 games 12.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Kristófer Acox (Furman – F) 35 games 13.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists – KR
Pavel Ermolinski (KR – PF) 31 games 9.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists

Hlynur Bæringsson (Stjarnan – C) 28 games 15.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists
Tryggvi Hlinason (Thor – C) 25 games 11.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 block – Valencia

COACH: Craig Pedersen

• 11 players from EuroBasket 2017 Qualification roster are in the preliminary squad, 8 players are still included from EuroBasket 2015 team.

Average age of preliminary squad: 27.3 years
Number of players under the age of 20: 1 player
Number of players aged 20-25: 3 players
Number of players aged between 25-30: 4 players
Number of players over the age of 30: 4 players
The youngest player in the squad: Tryggvi Hlinason – 19
The oldest player in the squad: Logi Gunnarsson – 35
Average height of preliminary squad: 195.3 average
Number of players under 190 cm: 2 players
Number of players with a height between 190-200 cm: 7 players
Number of players over 200 cm: 3 players
The shortest player in the squad: Elvar Fridriksson  – 1.82
The tallest player in the squad: Tryggvi Hlinason – 2.16

Distribution of players according to the leagues they play in club level: (Last year)

Premier League (Iceland): 8 players
NCAA: 1 player
Leb Oro (Spain Second League): 1 player
LNB Pro A (France): 1 player
LNB Pro B (France Second League): 1 player

Schedule of pre-tournament friendlies: (3-5)

27 July Iceland-Belgium: 83-76 (Martin Hermannsson 15 points, Manu Lecomte 15 points) *
29 July Iceland-Belgium: 85-70 (Hlynur Bæringsson 17 points, Quentin Serron 16 points) *
11 August Iceland-Germany: 66-90 (Martin Hermannsson 12 points, Danilo Barthel 18 points) *
12 August Iceland-Hungary: 60-56 (Martin Hermannsson 14 points, Zoltan Perl 17 points) *
13 August Iceland-Russia: 69-82 (Martin Hermannsson 22 points, Mikhail Kulagin 15 points) *
19 August Iceland-Hungary: 66-81 (Martin Hermannsson 13 points, David Vojvoda 17 points) *
20 August Iceland-Hungary: 67-82 (Martin Hermannsson 17 points, David Vojvoda 12 points) *
23 August Iceland-Lithuania: 62-84 (Tryggvi Hlinason 19 points, Mindaugas Kuzminskas 17 points) *

Depth Chart

PG: Hörður Vilhjálmsson – Ægir Steinarsson – Elvar Fridriksson
SG: Martin Hermannsson – Logi Gunnarsson – Brynjar Bjornsson
SF: Jon Stefánsson – Pavel Ermolinski
PF: Haukur Pálsson – Kristófer Acox
C : Hlynur Bæringsso – Tryggvi Hlinason

Unavailable / Out or Injured Players

Jakob Sigurdarson and Helgi Magnusson will not play for Iceland this summer.

News

• Matthias Sigurdarson, Pétur Rúnar Birgisson, Dagur Jónsson, Jón Gudmundsson, Gunnar Olafsson, Kári Jónsson, Kristinn Pálsson, Ragnar Nathanaelsson and Sigurdur Thorsteinsson were removed this preliminary squad.
• Tryggvi Hlinason’s pre-Eurobasket highlights (VIDEO)
• The final roster

Poland – Squad (12 players) – Group A

Lukasz Koszarek (Z. Góra – PG) 59 games 8.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists

A.J. Slaughter (Strasbourg – G) 63 games 12.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists – ASVEL
Przemyslaw Zamojski (Z. Gora – SG) 54 games 8.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists

Mateusz Ponitka (P. Karşıyaka – SG/SF) 47 games 12.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists – Tenerife
Karol Gruszecki (Z. Góra – SF) 60 games 6.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.9 assist – Torun
Michal Sokolowski (Rosa Radom – SF) 49 games 12.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Adam Waczynski (Unicaja Malaga – SF) 53 games 7.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.9 assist

Aaron Cel (Gravelines – PF) 31 games 6.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.6 assist – Torun
Tomasz Gielo (Joventut – PF) 32 games 4.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.5 assist

Damian Kulig (Banvit – C) 50 games 9.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks
Adam Hrycaniuk (Z. Góra – C) 61 games 5.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 0.7 assist
Przemyslaw Karnowski (Gonzaga – C) 39 games 12.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 0.9 block – Andorra

COACH: Mike Taylor

• 8 players from EuroBasket 2017 Qualification roster are in the preliminary squad, however, 8 players are still included from EuroBasket 2015 team.

Average age of preliminary squad: 27.9 years
Number of players aged 20-25: 4 players
Number of players aged between 25-30: 2 players
Number of players over the age of 30: 6 players
The youngest player in the squad: Przemyslaw Karnowski – 23
The oldest player in the squad: Lukasz Koszarek – 33
Average height of preliminary squad: 199.1 average
Number of players under 190 cm: 1 player
Number of players with a height between 190-200 cm: 6 players
Number of players over 200 cm: 5 players
The shortest player in the squad: Lukasz Koszarek – 1.87
The tallest player in the squad: Przemyslaw Karnowski – 2.16

Distribution of players according to the leagues they play in club level: (Last year)

PKL (Poland): 5 players
LNB Pro A (France): 2 players
ACB Liga Endesa (Spain): 2 players
Tahincioğlu Süper Ligi (Turkey): 2 players
NCAA: 1 player

Schedule of pre-tournament friendlies: (7-4)

28 July Poland-Czech Republic: 101-68 (Mateusz Ponitka 22 points, Patrik Auda 10 points) *
29 July Poland-Czech Republic: 85-72 (Tomasz Giello 13 points, Lukas Palyza 14 points) *
04 August Poland-Lithuania: 58-59 (Damian Kulig 14 points, Jonas Valanciunas 14 points) *
06 August Poland-Latvia: 80-76 (Mateusz Ponitka 14 points,  Rolands Smits 14 points) *
11 August Poland-Latvia: 65-77 (Damian Kulig 12 points, Kristaps Porzingis 24 points) *
18 August Poland-Serbia: 78-85 (Mateusz Ponitka 22 points, Vladimir Lucic 22 points) *
19 August Poland-Germany: 80-75 (Adam Waczynski 18 points, Dennis Schröder 26 points) *
20 August Poland-Russia: 81-78 (AJ Slaughter 16 points, Alexey Shved 20 points) *
24 August Poland-Israel: 74-77 (Mateusz Ponitka 12 points, Omri Casspi 15 points) *
25 August Poland-Great Britain: 86-76 (Adam Waczynski 13 points, Dan Clark 16 points) *
26 August Poland-Hungary: 73-63 (Przemysław Karnowski 21 points, Csaba Ferencz 16 points) *

Depth Chart

PG: Lukasz Koszarek – AJ Slaughter
SG: Mateusz Ponitka – Przemyslaw Zamojski
SF: Adam Waczynski – Karol Gruszecki – Michal Sokolowski
PF: Aaron Cel – Tomasz Gielo
C : Damian Kulig – Adam Hrycaniuk – Przemyslaw Karnowski

Unavailable / Out or Injured Players

Marcin Gortat retired from Polish National Team, even if there’s no official announcement yet and a window for a possible future return is still open. Aleksandar Czyz and Maciej Lampe will not play for Poland this summer.

News

• The first Eurobasket for Poland after Gortat
• Robert Skibiewski, Bartosz Diduszko, Jaroslaw Mokros, Dominik Olejniczak and Szymon Szewczyk were removed from the preliminary squad.
• Daniel Szymkiewicz, Mathieu Wojciechowski and Michal Michalak were removed from the preliminary squad.
• Aleksandr Czyz was removed from the preliminary squad.
• Thanks to a big shot by Mateusz Ponitka, Poland beat Russia on Sunday and here’s what happened on the court. (VIDEO)
• The final roster of Poland

Slovenia – Squad (12 players) – Group A

Goran Dragić (Heat – PG) 73 games 20.3 points, 5.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds
Aleksej Nikolić (Brose – PG) 23 games 5.8 points, 2.5 assists, 1.2 rebounds
Matic Rebec (KRKA Novo – PG) 56 games 11.1 points, 5.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds

Luka Dončić (Real Madrid – SG) 80 games 7.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists
Jaka Blažič (Baskonia – SG) 69 games 5.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.4 assist – Andorra
Klemen Prepelič (Limoges, G) 33 games 15.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists – Paris L.

Edo Muric (Banvit – SF) 49 games 6.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Vlatko Čančar (Mega Leks – SF) 43 games 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists

Anthony Randolph (Real Madrid – PF) 74 games 9.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks

Gasper Vidmar (Banvit – C) 35 games, 10.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Ziga Dimec (KRKA Novo – C) 59 games 9.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 0.4 block
Saša Zagorac (Parma – PF/C) 34 games 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists – Sopron

COACH: Igor Kokoškov

• 3 players from EuroBasket 2015 roster are in the preliminary squad, 6 players are still included from FIBA World Cup 2014 team.

Average age of preliminary squad: 25.2 years
Number of players under the age of 20: 1 player
Number of players aged 20-25: 5 players
Number of players aged between 25-30: 4 players
Number of players over the age of 30: 2 players
The youngest player in the squad: Luka Dončić – 18
The oldest player in the squad: Saša Zagorac – 33
Average height of preliminary squad: 199.7 average
Number of players under 190 cm: 1 player
Number of players with a height between 190-200 cm: 4 players
Number of players over 200 cm: 7 players
The shortest player in the squad: Matic Rebec – 1.80
The tallest player in the squad: Ziga Dimec&Gasper Vidmar&Anthony Randolph – 2.11

Distribution of players according to the leagues they play in club level: (Last year)

ABA Liga: 4 players
Liga Novo (Slovenia): 3 players
EuroLeague: 4 players
ACB Liga Endesa (Spain): 2 players
Tahincioğlu Süper Ligi (Turkey): 2 players
NBA: 1 player
EasyCredit Basketball Bundesliga (Germany): 1 player
LNB Pro A (France): 1 player
VTB League: 1 player

Schedule of pre-tournament friendlies: (5-3)

30 July Slovenia-University of Russia: 79-63 (Luka Doncic 14 points, V. Brykin 13 points) *
04 August Slovenia-Hungary: 84-64 (Luka Doncic 18 points, David Vojvoda 15 points) *
06 August Slovenia-Czech Republic: 88-80 (Luka Doncic 20 points, Martin Peterka 17 points) *
12 August Slovenia-Croatia: 81-85 (Luka Doncic 27 points, Dario Saric 25 points) *
13 August Slovenia-Ukraine: 78-67 (Jaka Blazic 14 points, Artem Pustovoy 13 points) *
18 August Slovenia-Israel: 77-81 (Luka Doncic 24 points, Omri Casspi 24 points) *
19 August Slovenia-Turkey: 84-86 (Goran Dragic 22 points, Melih Mahmutoglu 20 points) *
24 August Slovenia-Croatia: 74-73 (Goran Dragic 18 points, Dario Saric 16 points) *

Depth Chart

PG: Goran Dragic – Aleksej Nikolic – Matic Rebec
SG: Luka Doncic – Jaka Blazic – Klemen Prepelic
SF: Edo Muric – Vlatko Cancar
PF: Anthony Randolph – Sasa Zagorac
C: Gasper Vidmar – Ziga Dimec

Unavailable / Out or Injured Players

Zoran Dragic, Alen Omic, and Jaka Klobucar will not play for Slovenia this summer.

News

• Randolph joins Slovenia for EuroBasket
• Erazem Lorbek joins Slovenian national team preparation squad 
• Tomas Bolcina was removed from the preliminary squad.
• Doncic: “I want to win a medal with Slovenia”
• Luka Rupnik and Blaz Mahkovic were removed from the preliminary squad.
• Luka Doncic’s debut with Slovenian NT (VIDEO)
• Doncic vs Hungary (VIDEO)
• Doncic scores 20 against the Czech Republic (VIDEO)
• Cancar out for 10 days
• Erazem Lorbek and Gregor Horvat were removed from the preliminary squad.
• Luka Doncic’s highlights against Croatia (VIDEO)
• Petrovic: “A player like Doncic comes once in a decade or more”
• Zan Sisko was removed from the preliminary squad.
• Israel vs Slovenia highlights (VIDEO)
• Jan Kosi has left the team’s preparation, as announced.
• Goran Dragic to retire from the Slovenian NT after the Eurobasket
• The final roster announced