Basketball Geelong and the Geelong Supercats are pleased to announce that the Geelong Arena will be the final stop for our Australian Olympic men’s basketball team before they jet off to London.

The Boomers will take on Greece on Wednesday June 27th at the Arena in the final game of a three game “Farewell Series” that was announced at the Basketball Australia awards dinner last night by the Victorian Sports Minister, Hugh Delahunty.

“The Farewell Series will feature these stars and more when the Opals play Brazil and the Boomers take on Greece – ranked fourth in the world  – across a number of cities and towns throughout our state in a three-game series for each.

“I am sure every game will be played in front of packed houses as Victorians farewell our Boomers and Opals and wish them the best of luck before they travel to London for the Olympics,” Mr Delahunty said.

Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock said it was exciting to bring such highly ranked international teams to Melbourne and regional Victoria.

“Both the Greek men’s team and the Brazilian women’s team are highly ranked in world Basketball, so it’s a major coup to be able to bring them both here prior to London,” Mr Sengstock said.

“It will provide the Boomers and Jayco Opals with the best possible preparation for the Olympics, and to be able to play these games across Victoria is exciting.

It will also provide Victorians and Australians an opportunity to see the complete Olympic Boomers and Opals teams up close and personal.”

The series, known as the Farewell Series, opens on Sunday 24 June with a Boomers and Jayco Opals double-header at Hisense Arena in Melbourne. The Boomers will then face the Greek men’s team at the State Basketball Centre in Knox on Monday 25 June before finishing off the three game series right here in Geelong on Wednesday 27th June. 

Although the Australian Opals women’s team has played at the Geelong Arena several times over the last few years, this will be the first time the Boomers have played in Geelong since their last game at the Arena in 2003. 

Chairman elect of the recently formed Basketball Geelong Commission Chris Burrell was pleased that the home of elite basketball in Geelong had again been recognised.

“The Geelong Arena has played host to many local, state, national and international basketball matches. Hosting this games reinforces the Geelong Arena as an international class venue, and certainly the best basketball venue in regional Australia.”

Tickets and corporate box package information will be released over the coming weeks.