ANTWERP (Belgium) – France could hardly have asked for a better way to close their FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 campaign. After a season without a stop victory, the French saved their biggest statement for the final event, winning the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final 2026 behind a starring performance from Laetitia Guapo. Now, with the Women’s Series banner secured, France turn their attention to a very different challenge: the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026 and another shot at continental glory.

Shanghai was significant not only because of the result, but because of the timing. France found their best form when the Women’s Series season reached its conclusion, with Guapo named Final MVP and once again showing why she is regarded as the engine behind the French offense. Her ability to dictate tempo, create opportunities and put pressure on defenses gives France a natural offensive focal point heading into Antwerp.

Now, the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup offers a clean slate. The opposition will be national teams rather than the club-based lineups of the Women’s Series, and France will have to reproduce that level of execution in a more compact tournament where every possession can carry greater weight.

They arrive with plenty of continental pedigree, of course. France have already won three FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup titles, and Antwerp presents an opportunity to make it four. That history brings experience of the pressure that comes with short, high-stakes national-team competitions, which is an important asset as the French look to turn their late-season form into another major triumph.

The road begins in Pool C alongside Czechia and Sweden. Czechia should provide a particularly intriguing early test. Note that France and Czechia already crossed paths at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026, when France narrowly prevailed 10-9 in the Play-In Round. Sweden complete a pool that leaves little room for a slow start, making France’s opening games every bit as important as the knockout rounds that follow.

Guapo will naturally be central to France’s ambitions. Arriving as the Shanghai Final MVP and one of the most in-form players in the field, she gives France a player capable of changing the rhythm of a game in an instant. Also arriving in Antwerp from Shanghai are Marie Mané and Marie-Eve Paget. Sixtine Macquet rounds out their roster in Antwerp.

There is plenty at stake beyond another medal. The FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup is Europe’s premier national-team 3×3 basketball competition, with the 2026 champions also qualifying for the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2027 and FIBA 3×3 Champions Cup 2027.

So, can France carry the confidence and form that delivered Women’s Series glory in Shanghai into Antwerp and turn it into a fourth Europe Cup crown?

The answer starts in Pool C.

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 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series global final 2026, branded as Project Redwings, concluded at the West Bund Art Center in Shanghai on Sunday, with the French team claiming the title.

As a Level 8 event — the highest tier in FIBA’s 3×3 competition system, on par with the Olympic women’s 3×3 tournament — the tournament gathered eight top women’s teams from seven countries and offered crucial ranking points to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

France defeated Romania’s Rapid Bucharest 22-14 in the final to claim the title, with the Netherlands finishing third. Laetitia Guapo of France was named tournament MVP, while Li Ruoying from Team Beijing took home the Young Talent’s Laura Award, honoring the event’s best under-25 player.

Running alongside the tournament was the FIBA 3×3 promotion week, the week-long program, launched on Aug 29, featured a university league, street park challenges, a trendy sports market, and art events.

A FIBA 3×3 global development seminar was held concurrently. Alex Sanchez Mollinger, the managing director of FIBA 3×3, noted that Shanghai’s strong event hosting capacity, public cultural infrastructure, and vibrant urban development create solid conditions for top-tier international sports events.

Organizers said they will continue to expand 3×3 basketball into campuses, communities, and commercial districts, supporting Shanghai’s goal of building a world-renowned sports city.

The FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series global final 2026, branded as Project Redwings, concluded at the West Bund Art Center in Shanghai on Sunday, with the French team claiming the title.

As a Level 8 event — the highest tier in FIBA’s 3×3 competition system, on par with the Olympic women’s 3×3 tournament — the tournament gathered eight top women’s teams from seven countries and offered crucial ranking points to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

France defeated Romania’s Rapid Bucharest 22-14 in the final to claim the title, with the Netherlands finishing third. Laetitia Guapo of France was named tournament MVP, while Li Ruoying from Team Beijing took home the Young Talent’s Laura Award, honoring the event’s best under-25 player.

Running alongside the tournament was the FIBA 3×3 promotion week, the week-long program, launched on Aug 29, featured a university league, street park challenges, a trendy sports market, and art events.

A FIBA 3×3 global development seminar was held concurrently. Alex Sanchez Mollinger, the managing director of FIBA 3×3, noted that Shanghai’s strong event hosting capacity, public cultural infrastructure, and vibrant urban development create solid conditions for top-tier international sports events.

Organizers said they will continue to expand 3×3 basketball into campuses, communities, and commercial districts, supporting Shanghai’s goal of building a world-renowned sports city.