The most interesting basketball tournament happening in Europe before Eurobasket? Check out an event called EuroJam 2011 going down August 12-14 in Almere, Holland.

As what is slated to be the first in a series of Europe-based international tournaments, EuroJam will feature six men’s teams and two women’s teams to play over the three days of the event, which also promises an entire “Sport Experience” for fans and professionals.

Competing on the men’s side of the bracket will be national teams from Georgia, Israel and the Netherlands; this quartet will be joined by the Villanova University squad. The women’s “tournament” actually consists of two games pitting the Netherlands’ team against the Boston College Eagles.

In terms of fan experience, two clinics are to be held in conjunction with Eurojam 2011. Henk Pieterse, local hero (he played alongside Rik Smits for Team Netherlands in the 1987 Eurobasket tournament) and international clinician, will be holding several tutorials on the weekend for players of all ages and skill levels; see the below video for an example of Pieterse’s tutelage for youngsters.

While entertaining as part of the tournament action, the Djalita Dancers will also be holding a cheerleading clinic. Djalita is an outgrowth of the now-defunct Amsterdam Admirals Cheerleaders team and today the ladies perform at various sports events and concerts in addition to providing instruction.

A percentage of ticket sales generated by EuroJam 2011 will be donated to charity organizations KiKa and the Esther Vergeer Foundation.

BallinEurope will be following the behind-the-scenes progress of EuroJam 2011 in coming weeks, including the introductory press conference scheduled for 2pm EST today. For ticket information and/or reservations – the price for a standard three-day pass is a reasonable €50 – visit the Eurojam official website. And you bet they’ve got a Facebook page; it’s here.

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