For the first time since their participation at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Standard Life Great Britain Men’s basketball team will be stepping out on home soil in an exciting match-up against Puerto Rico at the GLL operated Copper Box Arena ahead of EuroBasket 2013.

Scheduled to take place on Sunday 11 August 2013, the special event will see the GB men return to the former Olympic Park and play in the Copper Box Arena following the re-opening of the north of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Sinead Gordon, Head of Basketball Operations at British Basketball, has underlined the importance of the game and urged fans to come and get behind the players ahead of the crucial EuroBasket 2013, she said:

“With new head coach Joe Prunty at the helm and also featuring some of the players who pulled on a Great Britain basketball vest in the capital last year, our fans can come and see many of their favourites back in action at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park once again.

“We are particularly thrilled to be welcoming a team with the prestige of Puerto Rico who are ranked 19th in the FIBA World Rankings.  It’s a great opportunity for everyone to welcome the new coach and lend their support to the players.”

The game forms part of GB’s preparation for EuroBasket 2013 where they will face some strong competition against Belgium, Germany, France, Israel and Ukraine in Slovenia. It is an important match up for the visitors too with Carlos Beltrán, the President of the Puerto Rico Basketball Federation, delighted to come to London and take on GB:

“We are very honoured by this invitation from British Basketball. The quality of the basketball in Europe is very high so to come and play in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park against GB is almost a dream come true.”

The basketball fraternity are offered an exciting opportunity to purchase Pre-Sale tickets today at a 25% discount (quote “GBHOOPS”) with the discount offer lasting until Tuesday 18th June.

Commenting on the announcement Peter Bundey, GLL Deputy Managing Director said:

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome GB Basketball to the Copper Box Arena. GLL have consistently highlighted basketball as one of the key Olympic sports that should be at the heart of legacy on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and this is a great example of how we can ensure the Copper Box Arena becomes a strong legacy for National and London basketball. The Copper Box Arena had a tremendous atmosphere during the 2012 Games and I am confident that basketball fans will once again demonstrate the Arena’s Olympic reputation as the ‘Box that Rocks’.

“We are already seeing a growth in basketball interest across the 110 sporting venues we manage and we look forward to positively promoting the sport through our relationship with GB Basketball.”

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said:

“This is an excellent opportunity to see our talented Team GB Basketball stars shoot hoops at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The sport is attracting a fast growing fan base and I’m sure the players will deliver many masterful displays of action at this exciting game.”

Dennis Hone, Chief Executive, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park said:

“It will be amazing to see the Great Britain Men’s basketball team back at the Copper Box. It’s another example of the tremendous legacy use of the Games venues and will be a superb night of action for London’s basketball fans.”

Tickets will go on general sale on Wednesday 19 June 2013.

Don’t miss out and buy your tickets today from The Ticket Factory online or by calling 0844 338 8000