GBB in 2012

There is a very, very interesting sports and sports marketing story brewing in Bradenton, Fla and it could have a major impact on the 2012 Olympic Games.

The national basketball team for Britain is training in Florida under the guidance of Chris Finch.

Luol Deng of the Chicago Bulls is on the team, and he is among some other top-notch talent. Suffice to say, if Great Britain Basketball can get its best players together and get 'on-track' to compete in the various international and continental tournaments, they could make some noise and contend with the likes of: Spain, Greece, Italy, France and Germany - among a few others.

The first step for GBB is to begin qualification for the 2010 World Championship, to be held in Istanbul.

If that were to be accomplished, the possibilites begin to soar.

And, don't forget, as host of the 2012 Olympic Games, Britain will field ONE team in basketball, hopefully for both the men and women. (Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales often compete separately as countries/territories but for basketball they will join as ONE).

I believe there is tremendous potential - both on and off the court.

Here is the schedule, as reported in article linked above - in The Times

National service

Aug 16 and 17 Great Britain v Ireland (international friendlies) K2 leisure centre, Crawley, West Sussex

Aug 21 Britain v Slovakia NIA Birmingham (EuroBasket)

Sept 1 Britain v Albania Meadowbank, Edinburgh (EuroBasket)

Sept 11 or 15 EuroBasket play-off Ponds Forge, Sheffield