The draw will determine the nations' starting pool groups ahead of their arrival at the stunning University of Worcester Arena for the Championships itself.

The draw is due to take place on the afternoon of Friday January 30, before the Championships are scheduled to get underway on August 28 with the final on September 6.

On home court and with the full support of the nation behind them, the European Championships will see Great Britain's men's team looking to earn an unprecedented third consecutive gold medal.

The British women, meanwhile, will be aiming to build upon the fantastic form that saw the team secure the nation's highest ever World Championship finish at Toronto earlier this year when they finished fifth.

"It is great that Worcester Cathedral has supported the European Championships by agreeing to host the draw," said Charlie Bethel, British Wheelchair Basketball chief executive.

"This truly inspirational venue reflects the prestige and history that the European Championships holds.

"It is fantastic that both the UK and Worcestershire will be welcoming people from across Europe and indeed the world with the Congresses and international programmes that will be delivered in parallel to the Championships."

Great Britain's men will be looking to defend their European title for the third successive year ©British Wheelchair Basketball


Bethel added: "This event will support both local and national business and we are looking to work with the [Worcestershire] LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership] and [Worcester] Chamber of Commerce to capitalise on this.

"This Championship highlights the great strides being made in Paralympic sport and is part of the legacy of London 2012.

"It will also provide people with the opportunity to see the Paralympic champions [Germany] play and hopefully see the Great Britain teams win medals and the men's team defend the title of European champions."

The draw at Worcester Cathedral will feature a wheelchair basketball demonstration and also provide the opportunity to hear from some of Britain's greatest players.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to host this event at Worcester Cathedral," said Peter Atkinson, Dean of Worcester.

"It may seem an unusual event to hold in a Cathedral, but it is part of our commitment to the wider community to be open in this way. We wish the competitors all the best for the draw and competition."

The 2013 European Championships were held in Frankfurt, with Britain winning the men's gold and The Netherlands the women's.

Britain's women finished third in the women's contest and will be hoping to break the Dutch and German dominance at the event which has seen the two nations win every title since the tournament made its debut at Kerpape, France, in 1974.

The full list of countries competing in the Championships is due to be announced on January 5.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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