CLUJ-NAPOCA (FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Trophy Tour) - ​The FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Trophy Tour visited co-hosts Romania from July 14-15.

The Tour began in Oradea, which is currently attracting the attention of the European basketball community, as host city of the FIBA U20 European Championship, Division B. The tournament has brought together 21 teams from across the continent, who are fighting for one of three spots available in Division A next summer.

However, for some of the players, there is also a personal fight going on, as they try and make it onto one of the final rosters for FIBA EuroBasket 2017. Appearing in Oradea are the U20 teams of FIBA EuroBasket 2017 participating nations, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Georgia, Hungary, Great Britain, Poland, Romania and Russia.

On Saturday, the tour moved on, to Cluj-Napoca, with the trophy displayed next to the #EuroBasket2017 giant hashtag in the center of the city. Romanian basketball legends Sorin Ardelean, Petre Branisteanu, Costel Cernat, Robert Reisenbuchler and coach Nicolae Pirsu were on hand for photo opportunities, as well as Cluj-Napoca Mayor, Dr. Emil Boc, and the official mascot Sam Dunk.

The presence of the trophy attracted mass media attention with print, television and radio all turning out to get interviews with the legends.

"It is fantastic to have the trophy stopping in Cluj - the 2017 city of basketball in Romania," expressed Dr. Boc. "Our local club won three titles and in September, we will host the European stars during FIBA EuroBasket 2017."

For former player Cernat, Saturday offered him the chance for some reflection. "It is a great honour for me to see the EuroBasket Trophy on Romanian soil 30 years after my personal appearance in FIBA EuroBasket 1987 in Greece."

In a busy week for the Trophy Tour, there will be visits to Milan, Italy on Friday and another of the four host cities, Helsinki, Finland, on Saturday.

FIBA