French town of Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, close to the swiss border, will held this April a new edition of their U-16 international tournament. Four national teams will fight from 8th to 10th for the title of an event Turkey won last year after ending with a 3-0 record and Tayfun Erulku ('94) earning the MVP award. Eurohopes staff travelled there last year, and will repeat this one to watch Czech Republic, Greece, Turkey and France. All four squads will compete this summer in the U-16 Division "A" European Championship, held in Czech Republic, with the hosts having an interesting team with many prospects.

 

The rosters haven't been released, but in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine we can find names like turkish James Metecan Birsen ('95) -at the pic- and Kenan Sipahi ('95) and french Damien Inglis ('95) -all repeating from last edition- czech Martin Peterka ('95) or turkish Emircan Kosut ('95). The Jordan Brand Classic will be held in Charlotte the 16th, so it's difficult to be in France for czech Adam Pechacek ('95) and turkish Cedi Osman ('95), both selected to travel there after the London camp last week-end. For more information about this and other tournaments you can check our calendar.

 

Photo: FIBA Europe / N.Parausic