The Airbnb Australian Boomers farewelled home shores destined for Europe as their journey to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup begins, with Lithuania the first stop.
A week after the conclusion of the Airbnb Boomers selection camp at the Basketball Australia National Centre of Excellence in Canberra, the final team of 12 will jet-set around Europe as part of their nine-game preparation ahead of the opening game of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup against Slovenia on Sunday 31 August at 1:30am AEST.
Under the stewardship of Head Coach Andrej Lemanis, the Airbnb Boomers embark on one of the most detailed and thorough preparations the men’s national team program has ever undertaken in the lead-up to a major international tournament.
Airbnb Boomers fans will get to see FOUR GAMES of the pre-FIBA Basketball World Cup tour LIVE on ESPN, with all three games of the Nice Tournament against the Ukraine, Philippines and France as well as the final game of the team’s preparation against France in Strasbourg.
See the full Airbnb Boomers pre-FIBA Basketball World Cup tour ESPN TV schedule below.
The team will make their first stop in Klaipeda, Lithuania for a three-game tournament against Finland, Ukraine and host Lithuania – who they will face in what shapes as a pivotal group stage clash at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Game One of the pre-tournament schedule takes place against Finland on Friday 8 August at 11:15pm AEST, tipping off three games in four days.
This will be followed short flight north to Helsinki for a one-off game against Finland on Wednesday 12 August at 2:00am AEST.
The Airbnb Boomers next travel to Nice on the southern French coast, where soak up the European sun during an intense three-game tournament tipping off on Saturday 16 August at 2:00am AEST against Ukraine before games against the Philippines and France.
After seven games in 10 days, the players will enjoy a short break before reconvening in Strasbourg on the French-German border to round out their preparation, with games against Finland and France.
Strasbourg is a familiar stomping ground for the Airbnb Boomers, with the team playing France and Brazil during their preparations for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Veteran Airbnb Boomer spent last season with Strasbourg in the French ProA League, helping the team reach the league finals and the knockout phase of the Eurocup knockout phase.
The Airbnb Boomers open their 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Gran Canaria against Slovenia in the early hours of Sunday morning 31 August AEST.
Based in the Canary Island city of Gran Canaria, the Boomers will also face Angola, Korea, Lithuania and Mexico, playing five games in six days prior to the knockout phase.
CLICK HERE to see the full schedule for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Fans won’t miss a minute of the action from Spain with all Australian Boomers games to be broadcast LIVE* and in full on ABC2 as part of their extensive 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup coverage.
CLICK HERE to read more about the ABC coverage of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be held in Spain from 30 August to 15 September.
*(Live AEST)
Airbnb Australian Boomers Team – 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup
David Andersen – Strasbourg (France)
Cameron Bairstow – Chicago Bulls (NBA)
Aron Baynes – San Antonio Spurs (NBA)
Ryan Broekhoff – Besiktas (Turkey)
Matthew Dellavedova – Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
Dante Exum – Utah Jazz (NBA)
Adam Gibson – Adelaide 36ers (NBL)
Chris Goulding – CAI Zaragoza (Spain)
Joe Ingles – Maccabi Tel-Aviv (Israel)
Nathan Jawai – Galatasaray (Turkey)
Brock Motum – Bologna (Italy)
Brad Newley – Gran Canaria (Spain)
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Andrej Lemanis
Assistant Coaches: Luc Longley and Trevor Gleeson
Mentor Coach: Dr Adrian Hurley
Technical Assistant Coach: Mick Downer
Airbnb Australian Boomers pre-FIBA Basketball World Cup Tour
Lithuania Tournament
Airbnb Australian Boomers v Finland
Friday 8 August @ Klaipeda, Lithuania 11:15pm (All times AEST)
Airbnb Australian Boomers v Ukraine
Saturday 9 August @ Klaipeda, Lithuania 11:15pm
Airbnb Australian Boomers v Lithuania
Tuesday 12 August @ Klaipeda, Lithuania 2:00am
Finland Invitational
Airbnb Australian Boomers v Finland
Wednesday 13 August @ Helsinki, Finland 2:00am
Nice Tournament
Airbnb Australian Boomers v Ukraine
Saturday 16 August @ Nice, France 2:00am
TV: LIVE on ESPN
Airbnb Australian Boomers v Philippines
Sunday 17 August @ Nice, France 2:00am
TV: LIVE on ESPN
Airbnb Australian Boomers v France
Monday 18 August @ Nice, France 4:30am
TV: LIVE on ESPN
Strasbourg Tournament
Airbnb Australian Boomers v Finland
Saturday 23 August @ Strasbourg, France 4:30am
Airbnb Australian Boomers v France
Monday 25 August @ Strasbourg, France 3:00am
TV: LIVE on ESPN
In the spirit of reconciliation Basketball Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.