ANTWERP (Belgium) – The FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026 brought Europe’s best 3×3 basketball national teams to the heart of Antwerp, but the competition became much more than what happened on the main court. Across three days, the European Championship arena on Groenplaats was sold out, while 60,000 people passed through the fan zone, turning the city centre into a celebration of 3×3 basketball, urban culture and community.

Millions Reached, Millions Engaged

The FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026 also delivered a record-breaking digital performance, generating 44.5 million video views, 58.3 million impressions and 2.1 million engagements across FIBA 3×3’s digital and social channels.

The figures marked new highs for the Europe Cup across all three key digital metrics, with impressions up more than 50% from 2025. The numbers further underlined the growing reach of 3×3 basketball, connecting fans with the action in Antwerp and extending the impact of the competition far beyond the arena.

Antwerp Takes 3×3 to the City

With the arena situated at Groenplaats in the historic centre of Antwerp, the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan brought the sport directly into the city. Between games, fans could watch freestyle basketball, professional breakdancing and rope-skipping performances, adding a distinctly urban feel to the competition.

The basketball experience also extended beyond the traditional game. A wheelchair basketball mini competition featured four teams at Sint-Jansvliet, with the winners, The Torro’s, earning the opportunity to take on the Wheelchair Belgian Lions on the Europe Cup main court.

Elsewhere in the city centre, the event connected with different communities through a corporate 3×3 basketball  tournament, the Antwerp 3×3 Streetleague and a shooting competition featuring the nine winners from the Crelan 3×3 Masters qualifiers.

That grassroots pathway had already brought 3×3 basketball to communities across Flanders in the lead-up to the Europe Cup. The Crelan 3×3 Masters featured nine qualifiers in nine Flanders cities before culminating in a final in Antwerp, involving more than 500 teams and 2,000 players. The winners of these competitions participated in the Quest, which took place at the iconic Central Station in Antwerp. The result was an event that connected elite international competition with the people and communities around it.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 Cups tournaments throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official FIBA 3×3 website, where you can find the latest news, star players and everything you need to know. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3×3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.

Want to learn more about 3×3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3×3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3×3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.

FIBA

Sep 13 2026

Ireland took on Latvia and Lithuania at the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup in Antwerp, Belgium, competing in the tournament for a second consecutive year. Following the two defeats, head coach Darren McGovern spoke about the influence of these tournaments on the 3×3 scene in Ireland.

“Playing at the highest level of European international 3×3 is a massive achievement for this group. We have put in a good body of work on and off the court to keep 3×3 building in Ireland. It’s a sport we can certainly develop and knock down some doors to one day win games here at the FIBA 3x3Europe Cup,” said McGovern.

“I want to thank the players this season. It’s up to them to make sure they are ready to go again next year at Qualifiers as we have targets on our backs there.”

Jordan Blount clinched a tournament double-double, racking up 11 points and rebounds over the two games. The squad remained unchanged from the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Qualifiers in Kosovo, where Darren McGovern also selected Matt Treacy, Ryan Leonard and Lucien Christofis.

Treacy and Blount took to the court in Copenhagen in 2025 for the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup alongside Sean Jenkins and John Carroll, where Ireland lost out to previous 3×3 Olympic champions Latvia and Netherlands. This year, Leonard and Christofis accompanied the veterans having previously played together with the Dublin 3×3 team.

Ryan Leonard at the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup in Antwerp, Belgium

Ireland drew the 2026 FIBA 3×3 World Cup champions Latvia and the defending FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Champions Lithuania in Pool C of the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup. The top two teams were guaranteed a spot in the quarter-finals, meaning one win was enough to progress.

Latvia opened the scoring in game one with a lay-up by Kristaps Gluditis, only for Treacy to put Ireland ahead with a two-pointer, coming off the back of a Leonard block. Christofis and Leonard secured the next three Irish buckets, knocking down shots from beyond the arc. Latvia began to stretch the lead after the midway point, eventually taking a 19-12 lead with only two minutes to play. Treacy’s consolation lay-up in the final minute wasn’t enough as Latvia made it 21-15 with four seconds left.

Lithuania awaited Ireland in game two, with the Baltic side coming into the tournament in third seed. Lithuania took an early 3-0 lead inside the first minute, before Blount replied with Ireland’s first point. Blount’s turnaround two levelled the game up at 4-4, but Evaldas Šaulys’ lay-up gave Lithuania a one-point lead at the first timeout. The highlight of the game came at the five minute mark, when Blount found Treacy with a behind the head pass in the paint, narrowing Ireland’s deficit to six. Lithuania kept the pressure on, and ultimately won the game with a two-pointer to make it 21-9.

ANTWERP (Belgium) – Latvia (men) and the Netherlands (women) took home the win at the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026 on September 13.

On the men’s side, Latvia completed their international double for the season, following up their FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026 win with the European title in Antwerp. They defeated the Netherlands 19 – 10 in the Final.

While it was a tandem effort for the Latvians on their journey to the Final, Rihards Kuksiks was the one to lead his side in scoring with 7 in the Final, 6 of which came from beyond the two-point arc as his timely buckets proved to be the difference to earn them the top spot on the podium. 

On the women’s side, the Dutch went back-to-back, repeating their heroics from 2025 with another European title in Antwerp. They came away as 16 – 13 victors against Spain in the Final. Noortje Driessen and Ilse Kuijt both combined for 6 points in the all-important game. 

MVP plaudits went to Latvia’s Kristaps Gluditis on the men’s side. He was the offensive force for his side, putting up a team-high 32 points throughout the tournament. Joining him in the men’s team of the tournament were Nesta Agasi from the Netherlands and France’s Lorenzo Thirouard-Samson who played key roles in their sides making the podium. 

For the women, it was none other than Noortje Driessen for the Dutch who led the tournament in total points scored and player-value with 44 and 50.7 respectively. Her dominant run was crucial to the Dutch taking the European title. Alongside her in the women’s team of the tournament were Spain’s Txell Alarcón and Azerbaijan’s Brianna Fraser who led the way for their Nations earning podium spots.   

Standings

Men’s 

1. Latvia

2. Netherlands

3. France

4. Serbia

5. Germany

6. Spain

7. Lithuania

8. Belgium

9. Switzerland

10. Italy

11. Estonia

12. Ireland

Women’s 

1. Netherlands

2. Spain

3. Azerbaijan

4. Slovenia

5. Germany

6. France

7. Belgium

8. Czechia

9. Sweden

10. Poland

11. Hungary

12. Ukraine

The FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026 delivered three days of high-intensity 3×3 basketball, with Europe’s best national teams battling for continental supremacy in the heart of Antwerp in front of a sold-out crowd

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About FIBA 3×3

Exciting, urban and innovative, 3×3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court.

It was played successfully for the first time in international competition at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and since then has benefited from the launch of a yearly professional circuit for men and women (World Tour and Women’s Series respectively) and national-team competitions. 3×3 made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

FIBA

ANTWERP (Belgium) – Noortje Driessen of the Netherlands capped a dominant FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026 campaign by being named the Most Valuable Player after leading the Dutch women to back-to-back European titles.

Driessen was the driving force behind the Netherlands’ successful title defense, leading the entire tournament in both scoring and player value as the Dutch once again claimed continental supremacy.

The Netherlands star finished with a tournament-best 44 points and 50.7 player value, while also topping the competition in highlights (19), free throws made (11) and drives (16).

Her all-around dominance proved crucial as the Netherlands navigated the pressure of defending their FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup 2025 crown and ultimately returned to the top of preoverbial the European podium.

Driessen’s consistency and ability to create in a variety of ways made her one of the defining players of the tournament, with her performances providing the spark the Dutch needed throughout their run.

After completing the title defense, Driessen credited the team’s collective work and chemistry for their success.

“We had a really good summer. Last year, we won the gold medal, and I think that’s just our main goal for this tournament because we know what we can do,” Driessen said. “We practice so much together. We all have our own role. Every player on this team is so talented. With the hard work we put in, it’s going pretty good.”

Driessen was joined in the Women’s Team of the Tournament by Spain’s Txell Alarcón and Azerbaijan’s Brianna Fraser, who played key roles in guiding their nations to podium finishes.

For Driessen, the MVP honor provides the perfect individual recognition for a tournament in which she combined elite production with the ultimate team achievement: another Europe Cup gold medal.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 Cups tournaments throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official FIBA 3×3 website, where you can find the latest news, star players and everything you need to know. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3×3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.

Want to learn more about 3×3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3×3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3×3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.

FIBA

ANTWERP (Belgium) – Three days of high-level 3×3 basketball in Antwerp produced two familiar champions and a host of memorable milestones. Latvia returned to the top of the European podium for the first time since 2017, while the Netherlands women successfully defended their crown to claim their third Europe Cup title in four editions. Along the way, the tournament showcased the growing depth, competitiveness and unpredictability of European 3×3.

Champions again

It had been nine years since Latvia last lifted the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup trophy, but the wait is over. The reigning world champions added a second European title to their collection after triumphing at the European Championship arena on Groenplaats in Antwerp, with Kristaps Gluditis emerging as one of the tournament’s defining players along the way.

Gluditis finished with 32 points, including a tournament-best nine two-pointers, before being named Men’s MVP. Latvia’s triumph also adds another major trophy to a remarkable 2026, following their FIBA 3×3 World Cup success earlier in the year. The message from Latvia was clear throughout: the world champions are not satisfied with just one title.

Building a dynasty

Three titles in four editions. Back-to-back championships. The Netherlands women are establishing themselves as the team to beat in European women’s 3×3 basketball. After winning the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup in 2023 and 2025, the Dutch returned to the top again in Antwerp, with their only interruption coming in 2024 when they finished third.

At the center of it all was Noortje Driessen. The reigning MVP delivered another dominant tournament, leading the competition in both points scored and Player Value with 44 and 50.7 respectively. She also topped the field in highlights, free throws made and drives. Her reward was a second consecutive Europe Cup MVP award and another sign of just how consistently she has performed on the continental stage.

Just getting deeper

If Antwerp proved anything, it is that European 3×3 basketball is becoming increasingly difficult to predict. France men returned to the podium for the first time since 2019, when they finished runners-up. Meanwhile, the Netherlands men recorded their best-ever Europe Cup finish with silver after previously taking bronze in 2016 and 2022.

Estonia men made their first appearance at the Europe Cup, while Sweden women also played in their very first Europe Cup and even recorded a victory, beating Czechia 15-12 in pool play.

Czechia women also made their return to the top eight after missing the 2024 and 2025 editions, while Slovenia women were back at the Europe Cup for the first time since 2016 and reached the Semi-Finals for the first time since 2014. For hosts Belgium, the women’s team also returned to the competition for the first time since 2021.

The bigger picture is clear: more countries are competing, more teams are making breakthroughs and the gap between Europe’s established powers and emerging contenders continues to narrow.

What 3×3 brings to a city

The action on court was only part of the story. More than 7,000 spectators attended the venue across the first two days, while the final day sold out all seats across both sessions. With Groenplaats transformed into a purpose-built 3×3 arena in the heart of Antwerp, the Europe Cup brought elite international basketball directly into the city.

It was a fitting setting for a discipline that continues to thrive on accessibility, atmosphere and bringing the game closer to fans.

Setting the standard

Latvia’s return to European glory and the Netherlands’ continued dominance offered two very different paths to the top of the podium.

For Latvia, it was a long-awaited return to the European crown, nine years after their previous title in 2017 and just months after being crowned world champions.

For the Netherlands women, it was another chapter in a remarkable run of success, with their third Europe Cup title in four editions and a second straight MVP award for Noortje Driessen.

But Antwerp was also about the bigger picture. From first-time appearances and breakthrough victories to returning contenders and new podium finishes, the tournament showcased just how quickly the European 3×3 landscape is evolving.

The Europe Cup may be over, but if Antwerp taught us anything, it is that the level, depth and ambition of European 3×3 basketball continue to rise.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 Cups tournaments throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official FIBA 3×3 website, where you can find the latest news, star players and everything you need to know. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3×3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.

Want to learn more about 3×3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3×3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3×3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.

FIBA

ANTWERP (Belgium) – The German men and women handle business in pool play, going unbeaten on Day 1 of the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026 on September 11. 

TEAMS

GERMANY (men)

With the year they’ve had so far, all eyes were on the young German side to impress at the European stage. With expectations high, Germany showed up and showed out. 

They started out with a statement win against a contending side in France. The dynamic duo of Denzel Agyeman and Fabian Giessmann combined for 14 points in a 21 – 15 victory, bookended by a thunderous jam from Sidi Beikame to seal things in style. 

A more physical battle followed against Estonia, a combined 20 fouls between the two sides to show for it, but it was once again the German side that took the win. The aforementioned duo caught fire offensively once again, combining for a whopping 16 points to lead their side to victory. Germany sealed the top spot in their pool, going through to the knockout rounds alongside France. The Netherlands and Spain also sealed their knockout spots. 

GERMANY (women)

The German women came out swinging and never let up, finishing with a perfect 2-0 record to secure their spot into the knockout rounds.

They started with a comfortable 14 – 8 victory over home side Belgium in what was a defensive masterclass. Laura Zolper led her side in scoring with 5 points. The standout moment for them came in their second clash of the day. They took on Poland and found themselves on the back foot early on. The opposition hit their stride and assumed a hefty lead, one that ballooned up to a 7-point difference. 

Germany never let up and kept answering back offensively while relying on their defensive prowess to lock down Poland. The tides turned completely in their favor and in what was a 8-1 deficit turned into a 21 – 15 victory for Germany. Marie Reichert led her side in scoring with 9 points as they now get set for knockout action with momentum on their side. 

Alongside them were Slovenia, Spain and Belgium who also earned their place into the Quarter-Finals. 

PLAYERS

FABIAN GIESSMANN (Men)

There seems to be no stopping the German star. He was dominant on both sides of the game once again, putting up team-high points in both their wins while also locking down defensively. 

He scored 8 points in a big-time win over France before following it up with 9 points against Estonia. He was all business in pool phase and is locked in ahead of the knockout rounds on Day 3. 

TXELL ALARCÓN (women)

Spain went unbeaten in pool action, and at the helm of it was the dynamic youngster Txell Alarcón. 

She went off in their opening game against Slovenia, putting up a team-high 9 points. She added another 5 points to her tally in another victory, this time against Hungary to close out their pool run. Alarcón is in the zone as Spain look to make waves on Day 3. 

QUARTER-FINAL MATCHUPS SO FAR

Men

Germany v Netherlands

France v Spain

Women

Germany v Slovenia 

Spain v Belgium

DAY 2

We lock in our quarter-final brackets as the second half of pool action goes down tomorrow. Don’t miss the action, tune in LIVE through the FIBA 3×3 YouTube channel.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 Cups tournaments throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official FIBA 3×3 website, where you can find the latest news, star players and everything you need to know. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3×3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.

Want to learn more about 3×3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3×3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3×3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.

FIBA

ANTWERP (Belgium) – Latvia (men) and the Netherlands (women) impress in pool play with perfect displays on Day 2 of the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026 on September 12. 

Teams

Latvia (men)

The reigning world champs have their sights set on an international double, and their pool phase performance showed they have what it takes to make it happen. 

They went toe-to-toe against Ireland in their opening game. While they had to stave off Ireland’s barrage from beyond the two-point line, Latvia emerged victorious 21 – 16. Kristaps Gluditis went on a scoring tear, putting up 11 points, including 4 two-pointers of his own to earn them the win.

Their second matchup in pool phase would be a rematch of the 2025 Europe Cup Final. They would take on current European champions Lithuania in a hotly contested battle. Though back-and-forth for most of the games proceedings, it was Latvia who held on at the end, sealing a 22 – 16 victory to finish pool phase with a 2-0 record. 

Serbia also managed to finish perfect in pool action with wins over Switzerland and Belgium to seal their knockout phase spot. Also joining them would be Belgium and Lithuania who earned their place into the final 16. 

Netherlands (women)

The reigning European winners showcased just what they do best in pool phase – win. The Dutch, arguably one of the most on-form sides in 3×3, came out swinging on Day 2, earning two dominant wins to seal their quarter-final spot. 

Their opener was a marquee matchup against Azerbaijan which saw the Dutch showcase their surgical selves, grinding down their opposition while sticking to their offensive gameplan to come away with a 21 – 12 win. Noortje Driessen stole the spotlight with her historic performance. She put up 13 points, tying the single-game record for most points scored by a women’s player in Europe Cup history. 

It was a similar tale in their second game of the day against Ukraine. It was yet another physical battle and once again, the Netherlands got the job done with a 19 – 14 victory. Noortje Driessen and Ilse Kuijt both put up 8 points to lead the way for the Dutch.  

Azerbaijan, France and Czechia also earned their spot into the knockout rounds on the day. 

Players

Kristaps Gluditis (Men)

When Latvia needed buckets, Kristaps Gluditis answered the call every single time.

He put up double digit points in their opener, an 11-point game in their win against Ireland before following it up with a team-high 9 points in a huge win over Lithuania. His efficient scoring from both inside and outside made him an unstoppable force for Latvia on the day and a crucial piece in their bid for the European title in Antwerp.

Noortje Driessen (Women)

It was a day to remember for Noortje Driessen who put up historic numbers for the Dutch in their perfect pool run. 

In their opening tie against a contending Azerbaijan, Driessen put up 13 points, a single-game record for most points scored by a women’s player in Europe Cup history. She chipped in with another joint-high 8 points in their 19 – 14 win against Ukraine, showing just why she’s 3×3’s premier star. 

Her hot start in Antwerp bodes well for the Dutch as they get set to defend their title in the knockout phase tomorrow. 

Quarter-Finals Matchups

Men’s 

QF1: Serbia v Lithuania
QF2: Germany v Netherlands
QF3: Spain v France
QF4: Latvia v Belgium

Women’s

QF1: Netherlands v Czechia
QF2: Germany v Slovenia 
QF3: Spain v Belgium
QF4: France v Azerbaijan

Day 3

The European crown will be earned tomorrow as we dive into knockout action. Don’t miss the action, tune in LIVE through the FIBA 3×3 YouTube channel.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 Cups tournaments throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official FIBA 3×3 website, where you can find the latest news, star players and everything you need to know. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3×3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.

Want to learn more about 3×3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3×3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3×3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.

FIBA

ANTWERP (Belgium) — Serbia have seen almost everything European 3×3 basketball can throw at them. On Day 2 in Antwerp at the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026, they were reminded once again that nothing comes easily. The top seeds handled Switzerland and hosts Belgium to move into the knockout rounds unbeaten, with Strahinja Stojacic pointing to a simple foundation behind their success: defend, stay together and raise the level with every game.

The clash with Belgium was particularly demanding. Serbia knew the hosts well from years of FIBA 3×3 World Tour battles, while the Antwerp crowd gave Dennis Donkor and his teammates an extra edge.

“We know Belgium very well because we’ve faced them many times on the World Tour, and they’re an outstanding team,” Stojacic said. “Playing on home soil with that kind of crowd support makes them even more dangerous.”

Serbia responded by taking away Belgium’s biggest weapon. With three dangerous shooters on the opposing side, Stojacic and company made perimeter defense a priority, refusing to give Belgium the clean looks that could change the game in an instant.

“We wanted to limit their opportunities from beyond the arc because that is one of their biggest strengths,” he explained.

The result was another composed Serbia performance and another reminder of why they entered Antwerp as the No.1 seed.

Yet Stojacic believes the biggest challenge may not be any individual opponent. It is the overall quality of the tournament.

“In my opinion, this is the strongest level of competition the 3×3 that Europe Cup has ever seen,” he said.

And the numbers behind the draw make his point. Every team in Antwerp arrived among Europe’s elite, while Serbia’s own pool featured Switzerland, the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2025 runners-up, and hosts Belgium. The growth of the discipline has changed the equation, too.

“More players and more countries are investing in 3×3 basketball, and that’s raising the level of competition year after year,” Stojacic said.

That leaves Serbia with little room for complacency. Their reward for finishing top of Pool A is a Quarter-Final matchup against Lithuania, the defending Europe Cup champions. It is another heavyweight matchup in a tournament already packed with them.

For Stojacic, the solution is not complicated.

“Every time Serbia comes to the Europe Cup, the objective is to compete for medals,” he said.

The path now runs through Lithuania. Serbia have only a short turnaround before Sunday’s Quarter-Final, but Stojacic is already looking forward.

“We have 20 hours to recover, rest and prepare properly,” he said. “We’ll use that time to make sure we’re ready to deliver our best performance tomorrow.”

At a FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup that has reached an unprecedented level, ‘Doctor Strange’ and Serbia know that may be exactly what it takes.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 Cups tournaments throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official FIBA 3×3 website, where you can find the latest news, star players and everything you need to know. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3×3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.

Want to learn more about 3×3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3×3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3×3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.

FIBA

ANTWERP (Belgium) — The pool phase has delivered the first twists and turns of the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026. Now comes the part where every possession carries even more weight. With the Quarter-Finals looming in Antwerp, the teams still standing have little interest in looking too far ahead. The message coming from the players is remarkably consistent: recover, trust the work, stay together and be ready to raise the level when the knockout rounds begin.

For Lithuania, that mentality has been the foundation of their campaign. After getting past Ireland, Paulius Sorokas insisted the defending Europe Cup men’s champions are taking the tournament one game at a time. That mindset will be tested against top seeds Serbia in one of the biggest matchups of the Quarter-Finals.

“We focus on our own game,” Sorokas said. “Our goal will be to make things difficult for them and not allow easy scoring opportunities.”

For reigning FIBA 3×3 World Cup champions Latvia, meanwhile, they exactly what it takes to deliver under pressure. Kristaps Gludītis led all players in scoring through the first two days with 20 points, including a starring performance in Latvia’s comeback win over Lithuania. The numbers, though, mean little to him now.

“I don’t think too much about the numbers,” Gludītis said. “My role is simply to do whatever is needed to help the team win.”

That same team-first mentality is resonating across the competition. Spain’s Diego De Blas described his team’s approach in similarly simple terms after a perfect start. The renewed Spanish squad has been building chemistry through time together, but De Blas knows the process matters more than any early results.

“Game by game,” he said.

Germany’s Fabian Giessmann echoed that confidence after two wins on Day 1, pointing to the chemistry the team has built over time and the belief generated by winning their last two World Tour stops.

“We found a way to win both,” Giessmann said. “Now we focus on the Europe Cup title.”

For the women, the same focus is evident. Reigning champions Netherlands advanced behind another strong performance from Noortje Driessen, who knows the pressure will only increase from here.

“The stakes are high and there’s a lot of pressure,” Driessen said. “We know we’ll have to earn every result.”

Spain’s women have faced a different challenge. With longtime pillars Sandra Ygueravide and Vega Gimeno no longer on the court, Gracia Alonso de Armiño has taken on an even greater leadership role within a renewed Spanish group. Yet rather than viewing the changes as a weakness, she sees a team that has learned to share the responsibility.

“Everyone is valuable,” she said. “We all have our responsibilities and we all know that we are important for the team.”

That chemistry has been built over years of playing together on the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series, while the influence of Ygueravide and Gimeno remains part of the team’s foundation.

“We have a great coaching staff and we have a lot of experience together,” Alonso de Armiño said. “We trust each other, and we know what we have to do.”

Spain’s reward is a Quarter-Final against hosts Belgium, but Alonso de Armiño is not looking beyond that challenge.

“It’s always tough,” she said. “We have to be at our best.”

Azerbaijan are equally determined. After losing their opening game to the Netherlands, Alexandra Mollenhauer said the team regrouped, addressed what needed fixing and responded with a decisive win over Ukraine to reach the knockout stage. Now their objective is clear.

“We’re coming into this tournament with one clear goal: to win the title,” Mollenhauer said.

And then there is Serbia. The No.1 seeds remain unbeaten, but Strahinja Stojacic knows the margin for error has disappeared. Serbia face defending champions Lithuania in the Quarter-Finals, with just hours to recover and prepare.

“We have 20 hours to recover, rest and prepare properly,” Stojacic said.

That is the reality of knockout 3×3 basketball.

No more second chances. No more saving something for later.

As Stojacic put it, the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup has reached a level where “every single game is tough.”

The pool phase established the contenders. Day 3 will decide who can handle the pressure, make the winning plays and lift the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026 banner.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 Cups tournaments throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official FIBA 3×3 website, where you can find the latest news, star players and everything you need to know. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3×3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.

Want to learn more about 3×3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3×3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3×3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.

FIBA

ANTWERP (Belgium) – Latvia arrive at the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026 as world champions, but the team taking the court in Antwerp will look notably different from the one that conquered Warsaw. Karlis Lasmanis, the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026 MVP, and Francis Lacis will both be absent, leaving Nauris Miezis and Zigmars Raimo to lead a reshuffled squad into their next major challenge.

Latvia’s World Cup 2026 triumph added another glorious chapter to the country’s decorated 3×3 history. For Miezis, it also completed a remarkable collection, adding World Cup gold to his previous Olympic and Europe Cup triumphs. One of the game’s premier playmakers and shooters, the veteran remains the heartbeat of a Latvian team that knows exactly what it takes to win on the biggest stages.

That pedigree should give Latvia plenty of belief in Antwerp, even if their new-look roster will have to quickly find their rhythm. Miezis and Raimo provide the stability and continuity, while Kristaps Gludītis could prove to be an x-factor after recently helping Shibuya capture the FIBA 3×3 Kaohsiung Challenger 2026. Rihards Kuksiks completes a quartet that will be tasked with showing Latvia’s strength extends beyond the group that lifted the World Cup trophy.

There will be little time to settle in, though. Latvia have landed in a fascinating Pool C alongside Ireland and defending Europe Cup champions Lithuania. The Baltic rivals have become increasingly familiar with each other on the biggest stages, and there is unfinished business on both sides.

Lithuania defeated Latvia in the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup 2025 Final to claim the continental crown, but Latvia turned the tables at the World Cup this year, eliminating their neighbors in the Quarter-Finals. Another meeting in Antwerp adds a new chapter to the rivalry. It will also provide an immediate indication of how well Latvia can adjust without Lasmanis and Lacis.

The stakes stretch beyond another piece of silverware. The men’s FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026 winners will also book places at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2027 and FIBA 3×3 Champions Cup 2027, making every game in the compact tournament especially valuable.

Latvia therefore arrive with confidence, but also with something new to prove. They have conquered the world, and their championship pedigree is unquestioned. Now Miezis, Raimo and a refreshed supporting cast have the chance to show they can do it again with a different combination.

Can the newly crowned world champions carry their winning form into Antwerp — even without their World Cup MVP?

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Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 Cups tournaments throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official FIBA 3×3 website, where you can find the latest news, star players and everything you need to know. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3×3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.

Want to learn more about 3×3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3×3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3×3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.

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