The draw for the Qualifying Round of Eurobasket 2009 and EuroBasket Women 2009 and the Youth European Championships 2008 will take place in Venice, Italy, this coming Saturday, 16^th February. 

A total of 32 men's teams and 30 women's teams will compete for either qualification to the EuroBasket or promotion to Division A. 16 men's and women's teams will participate in the Division C championships.

A record 221 teams from 50 national federations have entered the 14 Youth European Championships 2008 in the U20, U18 and U16 categories.

According to article 17.1 of the FIBA Europe regulations the seeding method for the draw is based on the results of the most recent FIBA Europe official competitions, the last being the most important.

The draw, organized by FIBA Europe in collaboration with the Italian Basketball Federation, will be held at Venice Casino and will commence at 11 a.m. local time.

EuroBasket 2009

According to articles 30 and 31 of the FIBA Europe regulations eight men's teams qualify directly for EuroBasket 2009, in Poland, 7-20 September 2009: European champions Russia, Spain, Lithuania, Greece, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia and hosts Poland.

There are 17 other Division A teams who will have to participate in the Qualifying Round, starting this summer.

These teams will be divided into three groups of four teams and one group of five teams.

The winners of each group, plus the three best placed runners-up will go to EuroBasket 2009.

The games of the qualifying round will be played in August and September 2008.

The last place will be up for grabs through an Additional Qualifying Round in the summer of 2009.

The Division B Qualifying Round games are scheduled for September 2008 and August / September 2009.

Division C will take place in Scotland, 17-22 June 2008. Eight teams will participate: Azerbaijan, Moldova, San Marino, Gibraltar, Scotland, Andorra, Wales and Malta.

EuroBasket Women 2009

According to Articles 30 and 31 of the FIBA Europe regulations five women's teams have secured a place for EuroBasket Women 2009, in Latvia, 7-20 June 2009: European Champions Russia, Spain, Belarus, hosts Latvia and the Czech Republic.

The remaining 19 Division A teams will compete in three groups of five teams and one group of four teams.

The top two of each group and the best third-placed team will earn a spot in EuroBasket Women 2009.

The qualifying round games will be played in August and September 2008.

The last two places will have to be won at an Additional Qualifying Round in January 2009.

The women's Division B Qualifying Round games will take place in August/September 2008 and August/September 2009.

Division C is scheduled for Luxembourg from 7-12 July 2008. Eight teams will participate: Luxembourg, Azerbaijan, Andorra, Gibraltar, Scotland, Albania, Malta and Wales.

EUROBASKET 2009

7^th - 20^th September 2009, Poland

Division A

Teams to be divided into 4 groups (3 groups of 4 and 1 group of 5)

The winners of each group plus the three best placed runners-up will go to EuroBasket 2009.

One more team will qualify through the Additional Qualifying Round.

Seeding for Qualifying Round group games:

Qualifying Round game dates:

20^th, 23^rd, 27^th, 30^th August and 3^rd, 6^th, 10^th, 13^th, 17^th, 20^th September 2008

Additional Qualifying and Relegation Round game dates:

5^th, 8^th, 11^th, 14^th, 17^th, 20^th, 27^th - 30^th August 2009

Division B

Teams to be divided into 3 Groups of 5 teams

Two teams will be promoted to Division A

Seeding for Division B Qualifying Round group games:

Qualifying Round game dates:

6^th, 10^th 13^th, 17^th, 20^th September 2008, August/September 2009

EUROBASKET WOMEN 2009

7^th - 20^th June 2009, Latvia

Division A

Teams to be divided into 4 groups (3 groups of 5 and 1 group of 4)

The top two of each group and the best third-placed team will earn a spot in EuroBasket 2009.

Two more teams will qualify through the Additional Qualifying Round.

Seeding for Division A Qualifying Round group games:

Qualifying Round game dates:

13^th, 16^th, 20^th, 23^rd, 27^th and 30^th August and 3^rd, 6^th, 10^th and 13^th September 2008

Additional Qualifying and Relegation Round game dates:

4^th, 7^th, 10^th, 13^th, 16^th and 19^th January 2009

Division B

Teams to be divided into 2 groups (1 group of 6 and 1 group of 5)

Two teams will be promoted to Division A.

Seeding for Division B Qualifying Round group games:

Qualifying Round - Game dates:

27^th, 30^th August and 3^rd, 6^th, 10^th September 2008, August/September 2009