Next year will mark a unique year for the tournament as four countries get set to host different aspects of the tournament following the cancellation of the event in Ukraine in June, due to the political situation and security issues.

Europe's 24 elite men's national teams were, therefore, divided into groups of four for next year's group phase which will take place in Zagreb, Croatia; Montpellier, France; Berlin, Germany; and Riga, Latvia.

The final round will then be played in Lille, France.

"I am confident that in Croatia, France, Germany and Latvia, we have four very able host nations that will provide a spectacle which will have the eyes of the basketball world solely focused on Europe," FIBA Europe secretary general Kamil Novak said during the draw.

France, who took the European title in 2013, have been placed in Group A alongside Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland and Israel, all of whom failed to progress from the first round in the last edition of the event.

Finland rounds off the group, which will play its matches in Montpellier.

France won the last edition of the EuroBasket and will have home advantage should they get to the latter stages of next year's contest ©Getty Images



Iceland will be making their first appearance at EuroBasket next year.

It will be a baptism of fire for the small European nation, however, as they join Basketball World Cup runners-up Serbia, three-time Olympic silver medallists Spain, and European powerhouses Germany, Italy and Turkey.

These Group B matches will take place in Berlin.

The Netherlands make a return to Europe's most coveted competition as they compete for the first time in 25 years.

They have been placed in Group C alongside Croatia, Slovenia, the FYR of Macedonia, Greece and Georgia, and will play their matches in Zagreb.

Group D will be hosted by Latvia and sees the nation joined by its two Baltic neighbours, Estonia and Lithuania, as well as the Czech Republic, Belgium and original hosts Ukraine.

"At last summer's FIBA Basketball World Cup, six of the eight quarter-finalists and three of the four semi-finalists came from our continent, just like at the 2010 FIBA World Championship," said FIBA Europe President Turgay Demirel.

"These results show that Europe remains the heart and soul of international basketball and will continue to be so when we celebrate the 80th anniversary of EuroBasket next year."

EuroBasket 2015 is due to be held between September 5 and 20 and will also serve as a qualifier for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

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