ANTWERP (Belgium) – Europe’s best women’s 3×3 basketball national teams are ready to battle for continental supremacy in Antwerp, with defending champions, World Cup winners, rising powers and some of the biggest stars from the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 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 women’s competition in Antwerp.

Noortje Driessen (Netherlands)

The reigning FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup Women’s MVP will be at the heart of the Netherlands’ title defense. Driessen has emerged as one of the leading stars in women’s 3×3 basketball, combining scoring, playmaking and an ability to impact every area of the game. With the Netherlands looking to defend their European crown, expect Driessen to lead the way.

Gracia Alonso de Armiño (Spain)

Spain arrive in Antwerp as one of Europe’s perennial contenders, though they will be without longtime pillars Vega Gimeno and Sandra Ygueravide, who was part of last year’s Team of the Tournament. The onus then will be on Alonso de Armiño to carry Spain’s chances. She brings experience and leadership to the challenge as Spain look to make another deep run in a tournament packed with elite competition.

Laetitia Guapo (France)

France bring plenty of experience and confidence to Antwerp, especially after just winning the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final 2026. Of course, Guapo was among the team’s key leaders in Shanghai, even being named the MVP. Her ability to control the tempo and create opportunities will be important as France look to win their fourth Europe Cup title. A tough Pool C awaits, with Czechia and Sweden standing in their way.

Ama Degbeon (Germany)

Germany have developed into one of the continent’s most dangerous women’s programs. Paris 2024 Olympic champion Marie Reichert will have everyone’s attention, but Ama Degbeon could actually be the x-factor. She led the entire FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 in total rebounds and provides a powerful presence around the basket. With Germany facing Poland and hosts Belgium in Pool D, her physicality and rebounding should prove crucial.

Alexandra Mollenhauer (Azerbaijan)

Azerbaijan are raring to regain their winning ways after their recent disappointment at the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series 2026 Shanghai Final. Still, their rise has been one of the biggest stories in women’s 3×3 basketball, and Mollenhauer hopes she can lead them to their first Europe Cup title. After helping Azerbaijan reach the Europe Cup Final last year, she has continued to shine on the Women’s Series. For sure, Azerbaijan will look to make another statement in Antwerp.

Aleksandra Ziemborska (Poland)

Poland enter the Europe Cup looking to bounce back after a difficult FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026, and Ziemborska will be one of the players tasked with leading the response. Her scoring ability gives Poland a dangerous offensive option as they face Germany and Belgium in Pool D.

Karolína Sotolova (Czechia)

Czechia return to the Europe Cup with Sotolova as one of their key players. Her experience and all-around game will be important in a competitive Pool C featuring France and Sweden, with every possession potentially carrying major consequences.

Klaudia Papp (Hungary)

Never count Hungary out. Papp gives the team an explosive offensive weapon and has already shown she can trouble Europe’s biggest teams, with Hungary famously defeating Spain at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2026. Another big performance could put Hungary in the knockout mix in Antwerp.

The curtains are about to open at the European Championship arena on Groenplaats. With the defending champions, emerging contenders and Europe’s biggest women’s 3×3 basketball stars converging on Antwerp, the margins will be razor-thin. These eight players will have a major role to play as Europe’s best battle for the 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

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