In these championships, 286 players used a size 7 basketball in 1,870 matches and 287 players used a size 6 basketball in 1,966 matches. The total playing time with size 7 and size 6 basketballs was 36,873 and 37,698 min, respectively. The players were divided into three groups according to their playing positions: guards, forwards and centres. The analysis of the percentage of field goals Crizotinib chemical structure included only those players who took a one-, two- or three-point shot at the basket at least five times. This criterion was applied to avoid extreme cases that could affect the results. Thus, 96.8% of all players were included for the two-point shot, 61.9% for the three-point shot and 77.7% for free throws. This criterion was not applied for binary logistic regression.

Our study included players of 12 teams from each European Championship. Accordingly, all the teams from the 2001, 2003 and 2005 European Championships were included, whereas in 2007, the best 12 teams were included. The analysis of the statistical data by playing position included the following variables: percentage of field goals worth two points, percentage of field goals worth three points, percentage of free throws scored, number of two-point shots, number of three-point shots and number of free throws. The data were acquired from FIBA��s official website (www.fiba.com), where the official basketball statistics are published for all of the above mentioned European championships. These data were analysed using the PASW 18.0.3 software and Microsoft Excel. The results were presented using descriptive statistics and diagrams.

For each dependent variable, a two-way analysis of variance (year, playing position) was used. If significant effects were found, post hoc testing was performed, applying Tukey��s HSD for multiple comparisons. The statistical significance of all tests was set at p < 0.05. A binary logistic regression revealing shots at the basket from different positions �C where the year of the EC and the playing position were independent factors, and players were a random factor �C was performed in R 2.12.0. The glmmPQL function was used. The reference categories of factors were the year 2001 and the playing position of a guard. Results The percentage of all two and three point field goals did not change substantially by championship.

In terms of free throws, the highest percentage occurred at the 2001 EC and declined gradually over the following ECs. Likewise, there were no changes in the number Anacetrapib of two point shots. The number of three point shots was higher at the 2005 and 2007 ECs, where a smaller and lighter basketball was used. Regarding free throws, the number of shots and field goals decreased at the 2005 and 2007 ECs. Similar ratios were observed in the percentage of all field goals (Figure 1). The two and three point shots had similar percentages, whereas the value of free throws decreased over time.