FIBA World Basketball Championships 2006 (Japan)

Even if I don't have great interest in other sports than football, many times I use to watch basketball, especially international tournaments - and the world championship is going to start soon. Since most members in this forum are Americans, I guess we have a lot of basketball fans .



The 2006 Basketball World Championship will be hosted by Japan in August and September 2006. It is co-organised by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), Japan Basketball Association (JABBA) and the 2006 Organizing Committee.

For the first time since 1986, the World Championship will have 24 competing nations, an increase from 16.

Group A
Argentina
France
Lebanon
Nigeria
Serbia and Montenegro
Venezuela

Group B
Angola
Germany
Japan
New Zealand
Panama
Spain

Group C
Australia
Brazil
Greece
Lithuania
Qatar
Turkey

Group D
People's Republic of China
Italy
Puerto Rico
Senegal
Slovenia
United States

Japan qualified as the host country, and Italy, Puerto Rico, Serbia & Montenegro, and Turkey gained FIBA wild-card invitations. Argentina qualified as the champion of the 2004 Olympics and Greece as the European champions of 2005. The remaining 18 countries qualified through their continents' qualifying tournaments (six from Europe, four from the Americas, three from each of Asia and Africa and two from Oceania).

The draw for 2006 World Championship was held in Tokyo on 15 January 2006. In the preliminary rounds, Group A will play at Sendai, Group B at Hiroshima, Group C at Hamamatsu and Group D at Sapporo.


Venues
Hamamatsu - Hamamatsu Arena
Hiroshima - Hiroshima Green Arena
Saitama - Saitama Super Arena (site of final)
Sapporo Hokkaido - Prefectural Sports Center (KITAYELL)
Sendai - Sendai Gymnasium


Most Time Winners:
Yugoslavia/Serbia & Montenegro 5
United States 3
Soviet Union 3
Brazil 2
Argentina 1