The 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Championship for Men are going on right now in Auckland, New Zealand.

The tournament runs from July 02, 2009 – July 12, 2009.

Discuss the 2009 U19 World Championships

The 9th annual World Championships for U19 Men features 16 U19 national teams from around the world.

The coutries participating in the 2009 FIBA-sanctioned tournament are Angola, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Croatia, Egypt, France, Greece, Iran, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Spain, Syria, and the United States of America.

Just as with the World Championships, U19 teams need to do well in a regional tournament to qualify to play.  Angola (2nd Place-Africa), Argentina (Champion-Americas), Australia (Champion-Oceania), Canada (3rd Place-Americas), Croatia (3rd Place-Europe), Egypt (Champion-Africa), France (4th Place-Europe), Greece (Champion-Europe), Iran (Champion-Asia), Kazakhstan (2nd Place-Asia), Lithuania (2nd Placer-Europe), New Zealand (Host Country), Puerto Rico (4th Place-Americas), Spain (5th Place-Europe), Syria (3rd Place-Asia) and the United States (2nd Place-Americas).

Link: Official Website for the U19 World Championships