The ESBA Championship in Poreč was officially opened on Sunday evening, with an action-filled opening ceremony taking place at the state of the art Jožice Sports Center. Packed with participants and spectators alike, the event began with country and team presentations and various artist performances, leading up to the friendly ESBA All-Star Game.
During the official part of the ceremony, all 13 represented countries introduced themselves with loud cheers, as team managers of all teams gathered on the stage, where they were welcomed by ESBA Board Chairman Romualdas Brazauskas.
The most notable players of Poreč’16 were divided into two teams for the ESBA All-Star Game. Before the game, the oldest player of the entire tournament, Hubert Sionkowski from Poland, was honored with the right to throw the opening tip. After a thrilling game, the Red Team triumphed over the White Team 33-25.
The regular action of the ESBA Championship had started off earlier, with 49 teams in 12 different age categories stepping on the court form Sunday morning. The regular action of Poreč’16 , after starting earlier in the day, will resume on Monday.
