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Through the performance of Armenia’s Hatis team reaching the 2009-10 playoffs and gaining a strong fan support along the way, Yerevan was chosen as site for the biennial tournament that will run through Saturday (July 3).

John Gonzales, believes that it is possible and says he is happy that the tournament is held just in Armenia. At 2009/2010 European Cup, the Armenian leading Yerevan basketball club Hatis reaching the playoff, gained reputation, and it promoted the hosting of the European Championship by Armenia.

“I am here for only a day, but I have already managed to notice that Armenia got prepared for the tournament with great enthusiasm. And the representatives of the countries invited to participate in it, will return to their homelands being very much satisfied,” said Deputy Chairman of FIBA Europe (having 41 members, and in charge of the tournament) John Gonzales.

Tournament preparation included scheduling games so as to not coincide with broadcast of the football World Cup that draws nearly every Armenian sports fan. State television H1 (which broadcast the World Cup) is covering the basketball tournament live.

“Watching the World Cup, people root for only foreign soccer teams, whereas this tournament will give Armenian fans a chance to roof for the Armenian flag and the Armenian team [national basketball team of Armenia],” says Hrachya Rostomyan, Chairman of the Basketball Federation of Armenia.

Entrance to the games is free at Mika Gymnasium, which seats about 1,000.