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) – 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) — The Netherlands are not here simply to defend their FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup crown. They are here to finish the season on top. The reigning champions took another step toward that goal on Day 2 in Antwerp for the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026, overcoming Azerbaijan and Ukraine to advance from Pool A, with Noortje Driessen once again at the heart of their campaign. For the reigning Europe Cup MVP, the formula has been straightforward: bring the physicality, find the rhythm and make every possession count.

The opening test against Azerbaijan was never expected to be simple. The two teams know each other well, with the Netherlands having beaten Azerbaijan in last year’s Europe Cup Final, and Driessen knew the danger the reigning runners-up posed.

“They have a lot of talented players who can make an impact individually,” Driessen said. “We knew we had to be ready from the very start.”

That focus was evident from the opening possession. The Netherlands made physicality a priority and, once their shooting found its range, began to pull away.

“At some point, we started finding our rhythm from beyond the arc and knocking down our two-pointers, which helped us create separation,” Driessen explained.

It was the kind of performance the Dutch will need as the pressure rises. Driessen herself hogged the spotlight with an historic performance against Azerbaijan, putting up 13 points. That tied the single-game record for most points scored by a women’s player in FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup history.

Every game in Pool A carried knockout round consequences, and Ukraine provided another physical challenge in the Netherlands’ final pool game. Driessen knows there are no easy routes at this stage of the competition.

“The stakes are high and there’s a lot of pressure,” she said. “We know we’ll have to earn every result, but we’re confident in our ability to get out of the group and advance to the next stage.”

That confidence is hardly surprising. The Netherlands arrived in Antwerp as defending European champions and one of the most established teams in women’s 3×3 basketball. Driessen, Janis Boonstra, Ilse Kuijt and Evelien Lutje Schipholt have already shared some of the biggest stages in the discipline, and their chemistry remains one of their biggest assets.

However, there is also a sense of occasion. After a long season together, the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup represents the final chance to add another banner to the collection, especially after the disappointment of the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final 2026 just a week ago.

“We want to enjoy the final tournament of the season because we’ve had a really good year together,” Driessen said.

Enjoyment, however, does not mean lowering the standards.

“Our goal is to fight for a medal, and we’ll do everything we can to achieve that. We want to finish the season on a high note,” she declared.

The Netherlands have now done their part in the pool phase. The real pressure begins on Sunday.

And if Driessen has her way, the defending champions will still be standing when the medals are decided.

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

The advantage the Dutch built early 

The Netherlands’ success in 3×3 did not begin with Olympic gold in Paris.

The men were already World Cup runners-up in 2017 and 2018, and won Europe Cup bronze in 2016 and 2022. As mentioned above, the women are two-time Europe Cup winners (2023, 2025), World Cup champions in 2025 and bronze medallists in 2026.

So how did a nation traditionally associated with football, hockey, and winter sports build such a formidable 3×3 program?

For Jan, the explanation is fairly simple: the Netherlands committed early.

“Of course, in 5×5 we were never a top team, and we managed to do it in 3×3,” he says. “We started really early with investing in 3×3. We saw the potential as a country. We had some players who really did everything for basketball — we had the first players who went full-time, when [professional 3×3] wasn’t a thing. Back in the day everyone played 5×5, and in the summer they did 3×3. We had guys who went professional as one of the first, and then you build an advantage. You gain [tactical] advantages over your opponents.

“And I think we kept that. There’s a really big structure, a professional organisation with good coaches, strength and conditioning coaches — everything is there. If you believe in something, and you spend time on it, you spend money on it, then you can achieve World Championships and Olympic championships.”

ANTWERP (Belgium) – The Netherlands arrive in Antwerp with a FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan crown to defend and a painful reminder of how difficult defending major titles can be. The Dutch won the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2025, but were unable to retain their world title in 2026. Their latest FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series campaign also ended short of the top banner, with Rapid Bucharest eliminating them in the Semi-Finals of the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final 2026. Now, the Netherlands have another major championship to protect: the Europe Cup, which they won in Copenhagen last year.

That makes Antwerp about more than simply another tournament. The Dutch entered 2026 holding both the World Cup and Europe Cup titles, but one has already slipped away. They will not want the same fate to await the other.

The Shanghai result adds another layer to that story. The Netherlands fell 18-14 to Rapid Bucharest in the Semi-Finals before finishing third, underlining once again how little separates the leading teams in women’s 3×3 basketball. Prior to that loss, they had won 27 Women’s Series games in succession. Now, though, there is no time to dwell on that result, especially with another major competition and another opportunity to make a statement about to begin.

The Netherlands know how to win the Europe Cup. They have already done it. We have already seen it. They defeated Azerbaijan in the Europe Cup 2025 Final to claim the crown in Copenhagen, and now they are seeking to become back-to-back champions. Repeating, however, brings its own challenge as the rest of the field knows what the defending champions are capable of. Every opponent certainly has the same objective of taking the gold away from them.

Noortje Driessen will be central to that mission. The reigning Europe Cup MVP returns as one of the Netherlands’ key leaders, bringing experience from the biggest stages of 3×3 basketball. However, the Dutch will also need significant contributions from Janis Boonstra, Ilse Kuijt and Evelien Lutje Schipholt as they look to navigate another high-pressure national-team tournament.

Interestingly enough, their Pool A draw provides an early test. Azerbaijan and Ukraine join the Netherlands in the group, with the meeting against Azerbaijan carrying plenty of recent history. The Dutch beat Azerbaijan in last year’s Europe Cup Final, while they also defeated Neftchi SOCAR — featuring Azerbaijan players — 22-12 in Shanghai. At the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026, the Netherlands again came out on top against Azerbaijan, winning 19-13 in pool play and 21-14 in the battle for third place.

Azerbaijan will now get another chance in Antwerp, while Ukraine will look to disrupt the established order in a pool where every game matters.

The stakes extend beyond another European banner as well. The Europe Cup 2026 champions will qualify for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2027 and FIBA 3×3 Champions Cup 2027, giving the Netherlands another reason to keep their focus firmly on the crown.

They have already lost one title they entered the year determined to defend. They will not want to lose another. Can the Netherlands turn their recent disappointments into the motivation needed to keep hold of their Europe Cup crown?

Antwerp holds the key.

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

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DEBRECEN (Hungary) – The Netherlands (NED) made FIBA 3×3 history at the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Debrecen 2026, defeating Lille Loko (FRA) 21-12 in the Final to claim their fifth consecutive Women’s Series stop title.

The Winner

The Netherlands entered WS Debrecen as the top seed and once again proved why they are the team to beat this season. They opened with a 21-15 victory over Hungary (HUN), with Evelien Lutje Schipholt leading the way with 11 points, before Ilse Kuijt erupted for 12 points in a 21-9 win over Czechia (CZE).

That set up a Quarter-Finals meeting with compatriots Amsterdam (NED), but the Netherlands stayed composed to secure a 19-15 victory and book their place in the Semi-Finals.

There, they faced Spain (ESP) and quickly established control, racing out to a 6-1 lead before eventually closing out an 18-12 win. Kuijt scored six points as the Netherlands reached their sixth Final of the season.

They then saved their best run for the championship game, overcoming an early challenge from Lille Loko before getting the huge win. The triumph marked the Netherlands’ fifth consecutive Women’s Series stop title, a feat that had never been achieved before. Their incredible run has also seen them win 25 straight Women’s Series games.

The Runner-up

Lille Loko produced the tournament’s biggest Cinderella story, reaching the Final in their first and only FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series stop of the 2026 season. The French side opened their campaign with a major upset, defeating third seeds Amsterdam 21-17 behind eight points from Jessica Mavambou. They followed that up with a 21-12 victory over Chile (CHI), sweeping Pool C and advancing to the Quarter-Finals.

Lille Loko then edged Czechia 18-17 in a dramatic Quarter-Final. Czechia led by as many as five points, but Lille Loko mounted a late comeback to take an 18-15 lead before surviving a final push from their opponents. Maud Stervinou led the way with nine points.

The Semi-Final against USA (USA) was even more dramatic. Lille Loko led 15-11 with less than two minutes remaining before USA stormed ahead 17-15. With their Final hopes hanging by a thread, Lille Loko scored the game’s final three points, capped by Stervinou’s game-winning two-pointer, to steal an 18-17 victory.

Their remarkable run finally came to an end against the Netherlands, but Lille Loko’s second-place finish was a stunning result for a team making their lone FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series appearance of the season.

The Final

Lille Loko came out firing in the championship game, taking a 6-4 lead with seven minutes remaining and keeping in step with Netherlands at 7-7 midway through the contest. The French side continued to give the defending champions everything they could handle, with the game still tied at 12-12 with less than three minutes remaining.

But once again, the Netherlands found another gear.

The Dutch closed the game on a scintillating 9-0 run to turn a tight contest into a statement 21-12 victory. Schipholt led the Netherlands with nine points in the Final, helping her side secure yet another winner’s banner.

Road to the Final

Spain also enjoyed an impressive run in Debrecen, sweeping Pool D after defeating Beijing (CHN) 22-20 in overtime and then cruising past hosts Debrecen 21-8. Txell Alarcón was instrumental throughout the pool phase, scoring 10 points against Beijing before adding 11 against Debrecen.

Spain then defeated second seeds Rapid Bucharest (ROU) 21-14 in the Quarter-Finals, with Helena Oma leading a balanced Spanish attack with six points.

Their run ended in the Semi-Finals against the Netherlands, who controlled the contest from the opening minutes and secured an 18-12 victory.

USA also did well, especially after sweeping Pool B on Day 1. They carried that momentum into the Quarter-Finals, where Mikayla Blakes scored seven points in a 21-15 win over Beijing. Blakes and Aerial Powers combined for 14 points as USA advanced to the last four, but their run ended in heartbreaking fashion against Lille Loko.

The Reward

The Netherlands’ fifth consecutive Women’s Series stop title further strengthens their position as the dominant team of the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 season. Their 25-game winning streak also sets another remarkable benchmark as the race for the season-ending FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final 2026 enters its final stage.

Lille Loko’s runner-up finish was an equally significant reward, with the French side making the most of their lone Women’s Series appearance of the year. Spain and USA completed the top four after both reaching the Semi-Finals.

MVP

Evelien Lutje Schipholt was named the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Debrecen 2026 MVP after another dominant performance for the Netherlands. Schipholt led the tournament with two double-fives, 21 one-pointers made, four blocks and 11 offensive rebounds. She also collected 19 rebounds overall, third-most in the tournament. Her nine points in the Final helped the Netherlands complete their historic run and secure a fifth straight Women’s Series stop title.

Final Standings

1. Netherlands (NED)
2. Lille Loko (FRA)
3. Spain (ESP)
4. United States (USA)
5. Beijing (CHN)
6. Rapid Bucharest (ROU)
7. Amsterdam (NED)
8. Czechia (CZE)
9. Hungary (HUN)
10. Ukraine (UKR)
11. Chile (CHI)
12. Debrecen (HUN)

What’s Next

The FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 now heads to Japan for the WS Takasaki stop on August 29-30. With the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final 2026 taking place the following weekend in Shanghai, China, the penultimate stop of the regular season will provide one last opportunity for teams to make their move before the season-ending showdown on September 5-6.

The Netherlands have already set a historic standard with five straight stop titles and 25 consecutive wins. Now, the rest of the field will have one final chance in Takasaki to stop their incredible run before the road leads to Shanghai.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official Women’s Series website, where you can find the latest news, team standings, player statistics and everything you need to follow the Race to the Final. 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

DEBRECEN (Hungary) – The FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 heads to Hungary on August 27-28, with a loaded 12-team field set to battle in Debrecen.

Leading the way are top seeds Netherlands (NED), who arrive as one of the benchmark teams of the 2026 season. The Dutch have already captured five FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series stop wins this year, including their last four stops, and will once again be led by Ilse Kuijt as they look to add another winner’s banner to their collection.

Players to Watch

Kuijt has been on a roll for Netherlands throughout the 2026 season, helping the team win four of their five Women’s Series stops while also earning tournament MVP honors twice. She will look to maintain that form in Debrecen, where the Netherlands open their campaign in Pool A against Czechia (CZE) and hosts Hungary (HUN).

Rapid Bucharest (ROU) enter as the No. 2 seed and will be looking to build further momentum behind Hortense Limouzin. The French star has been one of the standout performers on the circuit this season, helping Rapid capture two Women’s Series stop titles and secure outright qualification to the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final 2026. A strong showing in Debrecen would give Rapid another chance to build confidence before heading to Shanghai.

Rapid Bucharest face the United States (USA) and Ukraine (UKR) in Pool B, setting up an intriguing group. The Americans, seeded seventh, have already shown their quality this season, with Mikayla Blakes featuring for USA at WS Tokyo and WS Bordeaux, where they finished third. Blakes will be looking to lead the Americans to their third Women’s Series stop title of the season.

Third seeds Amsterdam (NED) also arrive with plenty of firepower. Liselot Kulk is fresh from helping Netherlands win two stops at the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League 2026 Europe-3 leg and will be looking to carry that strong form into the Women’s Series. Amsterdam will begin their Debrecen campaign in Pool C alongside sixth seeds Chile (CHI) and Lille Loko (FRA).

Speaking of Chile, they have gained valuable experience across the Women’s Series this season, recently competing at stops in Caceres, Baku and Bordeaux. Fernanda Ovalle will be one to watch after also helping Chile perform strongly at the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League 2026 Americas North leg last month. With that momentum behind them, Chile could prove dangerous in Pool C.

Fourth seeds Beijing (CHN) headline Pool D and surely want to turn their consistent performances into a first Women’s Series stop title of the season. Zhang ZhiTing has been among the circuit’s top 10 scorers and will once again be the focal point for Beijing as they take on Spain (ESP) and host side Debrecen (HUN).

Spain enter as the No. 5 seed and arrive in Debrecen fresh from a major confidence boost. The Spanish side captured their second Women’s Series stop title of the season at WS Bordeaux, with Helena Oma named tournament MVP after helping Spain defeat France in the Final.

Oma will now look to carry that momentum into Debrecen as Spain face Beijing and hosts Debrecen in Pool D. The home side will have the backing of the local crowd as they look to make their mark against two of the tournament’s leading contenders.

Full Seedings List

1. Netherlands NED (NED)
2. Rapid Bucharest (ROU)
3. Amsterdam (NED)
4. Beijing (CHN)
5. Spain (ESP)
6. Chile (CHI)
7. United States (USA)
8. Czechia (CZE)
9. Hungary (HUN)
10. Ukraine (UKR)
11. Lille Loko (FRA)
12. Debrecen (HUN)

Pools

Pool A: Netherlands NED (NED), Czechia (CZE), Hungary (HUN)
Pool B: Rapid Bucharest (ROU), United States (USA), Ukraine (UKR)
Pool C: Amsterdam (NED), Chile (CHI), Lille Loko (FRA)
Pool D: Beijing (CHN), Spain (ESP), Debrecen (HUN)

With the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final 2026 just over a week away, the excitement is certainly building. Debrecen is the 23rd stop of the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026, with only WS Takasaki remaining before the season-ending tournament in Shanghai on September 5-6.

The Netherlands will arrive as the team to beat, but with Rapid Bucharest, Amsterdam, Beijing, Spain, Chile and the United States all capable of making a deep run, Debrecen promises another wide-open battle on the road to Shanghai.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official Women’s Series website, where you can find the latest news, team standings, player statistics and everything you need to follow the Race to the Final. 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

BAKU (Azerbaijan) – The Netherlands (NED) continued their remarkable run through the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 season, defeating Madrid (ESP) 13-8 in the Final to claim the WS Sea Breeze stop title and their fourth consecutive Women’s Series stop win. The Dutch’s unbeaten run further strengthened their position as the team to beat with the Project Redwings Shanghai Final fast approaching.

The Winner

The Netherlands entered WS Sea Breeze as the top seed and left with another diadem. They wasted little time showing why they were the team to beat, cruising past Warsaw (POL) 18-10 before dismantling Czechia (CZE) 21-3 in the Pool A phase. They then carried that momentum into the knockout rounds, defeating Egypt (EGY) 17-10 in the Quarter-Finals before taking down Austria (AUT) 15-10 in the Semi-Finals.

That set up a Final against Madrid, but the Netherlands once again proved too strong. With Ilse Kuijt leading the way, the Dutch controlled the game from start to finish and eventually pulled away for a 13-8 victory. The triumph marked their fifth Women’s Series title of 2026 and, even more impressively, their fourth in a row. The Netherlands rise to second overall in the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 standings, and they appear firmly in control of the late-season race.

The Runner-up

Despite losing in the Final , Madrid still produced one of the tournament’s biggest stories. The fifth seeds opened with an 8-13 loss to Austria, leaving them needing to respond quickly in their second Pool D game. They did exactly that, defeating Paraguay (PAR) 17-7 to advance to the Quarter-Finals.

Madrid then delivered one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Facing host side Neftchi SOCAR (AZE), Madrid battled through a tight Quarter-Final that went into overtime before Juana Camilion knocked down the game-winning two-pointer to seal a dramatic 14-12 victory.

They carried that momentum into the Semi-Finals, racing out to a 6-1 lead against Czechia and eventually pulling away for an 18-13 win. The run finally came to an end against the Netherlands, but Madrid’s second-place finish underlined their credentials as one of the most dangerous teams on the circuit. This was their best result since winning WS Vienna back in June.

The Final

The championship game was a low-scoring battle, but the Netherlands’ defense enabled them to control the scoreboard throughout. The Dutch opened with a 4-1 lead before extending the advantage to 7-2 midway through the game. Both teams struggled to find their shooting rhythm, but the Netherlands remained composed and continued to protect their lead.

Madrid stayed within striking distance at 9-5 with less than two minutes remaining, but the Dutch found another gear down the stretch. They extended their advantage to 12-5 with just over a minute left and never allowed Madrid back into the contest, eventually closing out the 13-8 victory. Kuijt led the Netherlands with six points in the Final.

Road to the Final

Austria continued their quietly impressive 2026 campaign by sweeping Pool D, edging Paraguay 20-19 before defeating Madrid 13-8, then taking down Arrasate Ointxe (ESP) 18-13 in the Quarter-Finals behind six points from Sigrid Koizar. They pushed the Netherlands in the Semi-Finals, recovering from a 10-2 deficit to cut it to 10-7 before the eventual champions pulled away for a 15-10 win.

Czechia, meanwhile, delivered one of the tournament’s biggest comebacks, rallying from 11-15 down to defeat Warsaw (POL) 16-15 in pool play after scoring the last five points of the game. Kateřina Galíčková then knocked down three two-pointers to lead Czechia past previously unbeaten Latvia (LAT) 16-10 in the Quarter-Finals, but their run ended in the Semi-Finals against Madrid.

Hosts Neftchi SOCAR also impressed by sweeping Pool B before suffering a dramatic 14-12 overtime Quarter-Final loss to Madrid. As good as they have been this year, Neftchi SOCAR just haven’t enjoyed much success on homecourt, finishing fifth in WS Baku, WS Sumgait and here at WS Sea Breeze.

The Reward

The Netherlands’ fifth Women’s Series title of the season adds another significant boost to their campaign as the race for the season-ending Project Redwings Shanghai Final enters the deep waters. More importantly, their fourth consecutive stop victory confirms their incredible consistency at the business end of the 2026 season.

Madrid’s runner-up finish also provides a valuable boost, while Austria and Czechia complete the top four spots after both reaching the Semi-Finals.

MVP

Ilse Kuijt was named the Women’s Series Sea Breeze 2026 MVP after another standout performance for the Netherlands. Kuijt finished the tournament ranked No. 1 in player value with 31.2, while also leading the field in total points with 25 and highlights with 18. She added 10 key assists and 7 two-pointers made, with both marks second-most in the tournament.

Final Standings

1. Netherlands (NED)
2. Madrid (ESP)
3. Austria (AUT)
4. Czechia (CZE)
5. Neftchi SOCAR (AZE)
6. Latvia (LAT)
7. Arrasate Ointxe (ESP)
8. Egypt (EGY)
9. Paraguay (PAR)
10. Warsaw (POL)
11. Yanjing (CHN)
12. Germany (GER)
13. Poland (POL)
14. Ukraine (UKR)
15. Azerbaijan (AZE)
16. Benin (BEN)

What’s Next

The FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 now heads to France for the WS Bordeaux stop on August 19-20.

With the Project Redwings Shanghai Final drawing closer and only four WS stops remaining before then, every stop carries added importance as teams continue to battle for valuable Race to the Final points. Only eight teams will make it to the Shanghai Final.

The Netherlands have set the standard with five WS stop titles overall. Now, the rest of the field will have another opportunity in Bordeaux to make their own mark.

Stay Connected

Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official Women’s Series website, where you can find the latest news, team standings, player statistics and everything you need to follow the Race to the Final. 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