After a brief hiatus because of a lack of news, TalkBasket’s news update of Eurobasket 2013 in Slovenia returns.

Pipan to lead Macedonia

Ales Pipan has been announced as the new head coach of FYR of Macedonia and will lead the team to the finals in Slovenia.

The ex-Slovenia and Poland coach replaces Marjan Lazovski whose tenure was short-lived following their failure to qualify the London Olympics via the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Venezuela.

The announcement comes just one day after the Polish Federation had denied to comment on media reports that they would not continue their collaboration with the 54-year-old Slovenian-born coach.

Hosts announce plans

Slovenia have announced their preparation schedule for Eurobasket at a press conference earlier this week.

The team will gather on July 19 and will play a total of 12 warm-up games, with ten games being played on home soil and the remaining two at a four-team tournament in Belgrade.

Slovenia’s preparation games: (From FIBA Europe)

26 July: Slovenia – Poland (Domzale)

28 July: Slovenia – F.Y.R. of Macedonia (Litija)

2 August: Slovenia – Latvia (Celje)

3 August: Slovenia – Turkey (Celje)

4 August: Slovenia – Serbia (Celje)

10/11 August: Belgrade tournament (participating teams: Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine)

16 August: Slovenia – Bosnia and Herzegovina (Jesenice)

18 August: Slovenia – Russia (Ljubljana)

23 August: Slovenia – Montenegro (Koper)

24 August: Slovenia – Italy (Koper)

31 August: Slovenia – France (Ljubljana)