ANTWERP (Belgium) – Europe’s best 3×3 basketball national teams are ready to battle for continental supremacy at Antwerp’s European Championship arena on Groenplaats, with Olympic champions, World Cup winners and some of the biggest stars from the FIBA 3×3 basketball World Tour all set to take center stage.

With the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup 2026 tipping off on September 11, the stage is set for three days of high-intensity action, where every possession could make the difference.

Before the race for gold begins, here are the players who could define the men’s competition in Antwerp.

Strahinja Stojacic (Serbia)

The world’s No.1 player leads a Serbian team loaded with experience and star power. Of course, Stojacic has established himself as one of the defining figures of modern 3×3 basketball, combining scoring, playmaking and athleticism to make him one of the toughest halfcourt matchups on the planet. With Serbia seeking their first Europe Cup title since 2023, “Doctor Strange” will be central to their ambitions.

Worthy de Jong (Netherlands)

Few players bring more big-stage experience and presence to Antwerp than de Jong. The Paris 2024 Olympic champion remains one of the most recognizable stars in 3×3 basketball and combines creativity, explosiveness and scoring ability with a wealth of international experience. With the Netherlands looking to make a run at their first men’s title, expect de Jong to be at the heart of their challenge.

Ignas Vaitkus (Lithuania)

The defending champions return to Antwerp looking to retain their continental crown, and last year’s MVP is expected to once again lead the charge. It goes without saying that Vaitkus will be central to Lithuania’s title defense. They do face a tough Pool D featuring Latvia and upstarts Ireland, setting up an immediate test for the reigning European champions.

Hugo Suhard (France)

France bring plenty of experience to Antwerp, with Suhard set to provide perimeter shooting, leadership and playmaking for a team still looking for their first men’s European title. The French face red-hot Germany in Pool D, renewing a rivalry intensified by the Germans’ victory over France in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals.

Fabian Giessmann (Germany)

Speaking of Germany, their rise has been one of the most intriguing stories in European 3×3 basketball, and Giessmann is the biggest name representing the new generation driving that progress. The versatile big man combines size, athleticism and two-way ability and will be key against a French team with plenty of experience.

Karlis Lasmanis (Latvia)

One of the most decorated players in 3×3 basketball history, Lasmanis brings Olympic, World Cup and of course, European-winning pedigree to Antwerp. As such, he has, of course, completed the discipline’s coveted “triple crown.” He has not enjoyed much success on the World Tour with pro team Shanghai (CHN), but he’s hoping his fortunes changer here. Latvia’s Pool C clash with defending champions Lithuania promises to be one of the tournament’s marquee matchups.

Diego De Blas (Spain)

Spain arrive looking to bounce back at the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup after being unable to defend their FIBA 3×3 World Cup title in Warsaw earlier this year. De Blas represents their youth movement and is part of a talented Spanish roster facing Olympic champions Netherlands, setting up one of the most anticipated games of the opening day.

Dennis Donkor (Belgium)

The home crowd will have plenty to cheer for with Donkor leading Belgium’s charge in Antwerp. A familiar face on the World Tour, the Belgian star brings streaky shooting, defensive intensity and attacking ability to a team chasing their first Europe Cup title. His battle with Stojacic in Pool A could add another chapter to a rivalry forged on the professional circuit.

The stage is set. With defending champions, World Cup winners, Olympic champions and rising powers all converging on Antwerp, the action should be intense and margins razor-thin. These eight players will have a major role to play as Europe’s best battle for the continent’s foremost 3×3 basketball crown.

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

WARSAW (Poland) – The road to the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026 title narrowed considerably on Day 6 as the Quarter-Finals delivered drama, heartbreak and championship-defining performances.

With a place in the Semi-Finals at stake, the world’s best teams left everything on the half-court. Some contenders strengthened their claims for gold, several stars rose to the occasion, and others saw their World Cup dreams come to an end.

In today’s standout results, the men from Serbia emerged victorious in a blockbuster clash against the Dutch while the Dutch women edged one step closer to back-to-back FIBA 3×3 World Cup titles with a gritty win over Hungary.

SERBIA (Men)

Serbia faced off against the Netherlands in a matchup between two of 3×3’s greatest sides, and it did not disappoint. Physical and closely fought all the way until the end, it would be Serbia who would come away with the victory off the back of a 9-point game from World #1 Strahinja Stojacic. Nemanja Barać got the final bucket to earn Serbia a 21 – 19 win and keep their hopes for World Cup title #7 alive as they head into the Semi-final tomorrow.

Men’s Semi-Finals Matchups

Serbia vs Latvia
Germany vs France

NETHERLANDS (Women)

The new-look Dutch side were unbeaten heading into their Quarter-final matchup against Hungary who seemed to have found their groove on both sides of the game. While the Dutch maintained a slight advantage for majority of the game, Hungary were always right there with them. Zoë Slagter and Lotte van Kruistum led the way for the Dutch onslaught with 8 points apiece.

However, Hungary kept barging into the Dutch lead, eventually closing the gap at 20 apiece. In a ‘next buckets wins’ situation, Noortje Driessen put the game on ice for the Dutch with a clutch layup, handing them a 21 – 20 victory over Hungary. They book their place into the Final four as they hope to make it two World Cup titles in a row on Day 7.

Women’s Semi-Finals Matchups

Netherlands vs Australia
Azerbaijan vs United States

Dunk Mania

In the inaugural Dunk Mania contest, it was Team Grabo that ultimately won. Hometown hero Piotr “Grabo” Grabowski led the way, together with other Team Grabo dunkers Chen “Dunk King” Deng Xing (China) and Dmitry “Smoove” Krivenko (Ukraine).

DAY 7

The FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026 reaches its climax on Final Day. The Semi-Finals winners advance to the gold medal games, while the losing Semi-Finalists will battle for bronze.

Just four teams remain in each tournament. The next stop is the podium. You don’t wanna miss the action, catch it all LIVE through the FIBA 3×3 YouTube channel.

FIBA

Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Under-23 scored a double victory at the Asia SEA Conference-Stop 3 of the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Nations League on Wednesday.

The Philippines topped both divisions, with Gilas Women continuing to lead the standings while Gilas Men trimmed New Zealand’s advantage heading into the one-day break at Hextar World, Empire City in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

In the finals, Gilas Women defeated Chinese Taipei, 17-14, while Doy Dungo nailed the game-winning deuce to lift Gilas Men past New Zealand, 21-19, with 8:32 remaining.

With their second stop title, Gilas Women extended their lead over Chinese Taipei to 260-230. Meanwhile, Gilas Men cut New Zealand’s lead to 280-250.

In the women’s final, Amyah Espanol powered the Philippines’ breakaway, scoring five of Gilas’ final six points to secure the victory.

Espanol finished with six points, while Victoria Pasilang and Jam Meniano added five and four, respectively.

The men’s final, meanwhile, was a thriller that featured several ties.

Dungo, who was part of La Salle’s UAAP 3×3 championship team, knocked down the game-winner with 1:28 remaining to hand New Zealand its first loss of the conference.

Luis Pablo led the way with eight points, while Dungo added seven and Andrew Bongo chipped in six.

Also part of the Gilas squads for the leg were Rhyle Melencio and Kennan Ka in the men’s and women’s teams, respectively.

Gilas Women cruised into the final after routing Thailand, 21-9, before escaping with a 17-16 win over New Zealand.

Pasilang scored seven points against Thailand, while Ka led the way against New Zealand with six.

Gilas Men, meanwhile, dominated the group phase, beating Vietnam, 21-9, and Chinese Taipei, 21-13.

Stop 4 on Friday will see both Gilas Men and Gilas Women grouped with Vietnam and Malaysia in the preliminary round.