Everyone who is interested can apply until 20 April at www.eurobasket2013.org, with help being sought in the competition part of the championships, in IT, media services, accreditations, info services, transport, support to participating teams, promotion, VIP and so on.

In the preliminary rounds, to take place in Ljubljana, Celje, Koper and Jesenice, around 150 volunteers will be needed in each host city and another 400 in the play-off stage in Ljubljana's Stožice arena.

"Volunteers are the heart and soul of every championships or Olympic Games...their help is worth gold," EuroBasket 2013 director Aleš Križnar told the press on Wednesday.

"While voluntary work is not yet as developed in Slovenia as in bigger countries that have more experience with major competitions, advice from those who have tried it show it to be very interesting. New friendships are born, experience gained and possibly doors opened for employment."

The volunteers, whose ambassador will be one of the most popular Slovenian basketball players in history Marko Milič, will not be paid, while they will be provided with special outfits, footwear and food.