By James Crook

2014-FIBA-Basketball-World-Cup-Logo-SpainJune 29 - The countdown to next year's International Basketball Federation (FIBA) men's World Cup will officially begin in Madrid on Monday (July 1) with the unveiling of the Tissot countdown clock and the the official slogan for Madrid 2014.

Basketballs will be distributed around the Spanish capital prior to the unveiling of the clock, which will be accompanied by a celebration in Puerta del Sol, featuring music, entertainment and various games and activities for children.

With just 14 months to go until FIBA's flagship event, which is due to get underway on August 30 next year, the official slogan for the World Cup will be announced at the celebration, whilst the official part will take place at Palacio de la Comunidad in the presence of major figures such as FIBA secretary general and International Olympic Committee member Patrick Baumann, Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) President Jose Luis Saez and art, culture and athletic delegate of the Madrid City Council, Pedro Corral.

71777501Spain last lifted the FIBA World Cup in 2006 with a victory over Greece in the final

It will will mark the second occasion Madrid has hosted the FIBA World Cup, last holding it in 1986.

Spain won the 2006 World Cup in Japan with a low-scoring 70-47 win over Greece, but they crashed out to Serbia in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup in 2010, which was eventually won by the United States, who sealed their fourth world title with a win over Turkey.

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