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Slovenia is the only candidate to host the 2013 European Basketball Championship, as the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) confirmed this week that Italy, which was the only other bidder, had officially withdrawn.

The FIBA Europe executive committee will take a decision on the host of the 2013 Eurobasket at a meeting on 5 December in Munich, when the Slovenian Basketball Association (KZS) will also present the project.

A jury of FIBA Europe will visit Slovenia on 8 November to check infrastructure, hotels and the arenas in which the championship would be played, including the blueprints for new arenas in Ptuj and Novo mesto.

Slovenia has to pay around EUR 15m for the organisation of the event, including a EUR 8m participation fee to FIBA Europe.

KZS president Roman Volcic has told public broadcaster RTV SLovenija that he expected the state to chip in for the fee to FIBA Europe, and added that the championship could not be organised without help from the state.

"It is now clear if the state covers the cost for FIBA Europe, the championship, which will bring extremely positive effects and at which Slovenia will be aiming for top spots, will be played on Slovenian soil," he said.

Volcic believes that the Slovenian basketball team, which is currently among the top teams in the world, as well as Slovenian fans, deserve this. He sees no practical reasons why FIBA Europe would reject Slovenia's bid.

Slovenia finished 4th at the 2009 Eurobasket in Poland and made it among the top 8 at the recent World Basketball Championship in Turkey.

Source: ukom.gov.si