There have also been rumours of several other countries harbouring interests in hosting the event with Italy, Greece, Poland, Czech Republic, Serbia, Austria, Croatia and Germany among those reported to be interested.

French interest in the event has been backed by FFBB President Jean-Pierre Siutat who, in a series of tweets, wrote of ongoing talks he was having with Ukrainian Basketball Federation President Alexander Volkov.

Fédération Française de Basketball President Jean-Pierre Siutat tweets about his interest in hosting EuroBasket 2015 ©Twitter



Talking with French newspaper L'Equipe, Suitat was also reported as saying: "I made ​​this proposal to test the waters and see if we had the ability to organise quickly and correctly at least the first round.

"And I am now certain that it is feasible.

"So I confirmed the nomination of France, because I know now that it is organisable."

However he did add that Ukraine has "paid what it had to pay" to stage the tournament, and it would seem unlikely the country would give up hosting rights without a fight.

FIBA Europe, the European branch of the International Basketball Federation, has said it met with representatives from the Ukrainian Basketball Federation and EuroBasket 2015 Local Organising Committee in Munich last month to discuss the current state of affairs in the country and how it affects preparations for the event.

Ukraine was chosen to host EuroBasket 2015 in 2011 however, political unrest in the country has put its ability to prepare for the tournament in question ©2014 Anadolu Agency


In a statement by FIBA Europe it explained that it "fully understands the problems and the issues that the organisers are currently facing because of the political instability in the country".

It added: "FIBA Europe will continue to stay in close contact with them as well as continue to monitor the situation independently.

"A detailed report will be presented to the FIBA Europe Board which will assess the situation further in its next meeting, in Munich at the end of March."

This meeting is due to take place on Saturday (March 22) and Sunday (March 23) where members will "discuss" the situation however, no further comment will be made on the issue until after this meeting in the Germany.

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