Turkey has also hosted the men's and women's Eurobasket in the past as well as the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Championship.

The 2012 final four will be held at the Sinan Erdem Dome, and is being organised with the Turkish Youth and Sports Directorate, Istanbul Municipality, Turkish Airlines and event organisers Detur Group.

Turgay Demirel, President of the Turkish Basketball Federation, said: "Turkey has become one of the strongest basketball nations in the world.

"In the last 10 years we have hosted most of the major international basketball events and seen great results on the court – latest with our silver medal in the World Championship.

"Hosting the Women's World Championship and the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four is a great motivation for our teams to work even harder and for our sport to inspire even more people in our country."

This year's final was held at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona where Greece's Panathinaikos retained their title with a 78-70 victory over Israel's Maccabi Electra.

Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball President, is now already looking forward to next year.

He said: "We have been working closely with basketball authorities in Turkey, especially with the Turkish Basketball Federation.

"I am confident that, coordinating with the Turkish Basketball Federation, one of the most active in Europe, we will deliver our fans an excellent event this year."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
May 2011: Euroleague wants to hold finals at O2 in London