FIBA Europe announced on Friday that the 2009 EuroChallenge Final Four will be held in the historic Italian city of Bologna, home of Final Four participant Virtus BolognaFiere.

The event will begin on the 24^th of April with the Semi-Finals and culminate two days later when a champion

Nando De Colo and Cholet Basket are Bologna bound.

will be crowned.

"Virtus BolognaFiere is one of the most storied basketball clubs in all of Europe," said FIBA Europe President George Vassilakopoulos.

"I'm sure the city and the club will provide a wonderful atmosphere for the event,"

"There are few places in the world where fans are as passionate about the game of basketball as they are in Bologna," added FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin.

"We're excited to bring the EuroChallenge Final Four to one of Europe's great basketball cities."

Virtus BolognaFiere are one of the oldest and most successful basketball clubs in the world, dating back to their founding in 1871.  The club has taken home two EuroLeague titles, 15 Italian League Championships and eight Italian Cups.

Their quest for another trophy will begin with a Semi-Final showdown with Proteas EKA AEL of Cyprus, while Cholet Basket of France face off with BC Triumph of Russia in the other Semi-Final.