Germany got their first ever ticket to FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup in seniors competitions after a historic tournament, upsetting powerhouses Slovenia and Spain in their way to the top spot of Constanta Qualifier men’s division.
Led by the explosive guard Heinrich Niklas Geske and with a stifling team defense, Germany managed to win both games in the main pool round in similar low scoring fashion, 12-10 against Slovenia and 13-11 against Spain.
That led to a win or go home last game between Spain and Slovenia, and boy what a nail biter that was. Spain built a four point lead with less than 3 minutes to go, 11-7. Slovenia climbed back in the game behind big baskets by Kovacevic and Kavgic and pushed the game to overtime.
But it was Pino Capdevila who really took over for Spain. He scored the team last six points, including the game winner, a two point contested shot, after Slovenia held the lead in overtime. It was 16-15 in the end of a crazy game that left out of the Europe Cup the 2016 champions.
Germany was very close to a historic double in Constanta and things seemed to go their way after the women’s team upset the local favorites Romania, 14-13, in the first game of the main pool round.
But the Germans managed to score only eight points in the defeat against Spain, leaving their chances in the hands of the Spanish team, who faced Romania in the last game of the tournament.
Pushed by a frenetic crowd and led by the savage mentality of Sonia Ursu, Romania got their best game when it mattered the most and won against Spain 21-17, finishing the main pool round on top and joining the Spanish team to the Europe Cup.
Sonia Ursu came second in the scorer’s table and she was named the MVP of the tournaments after her heroics in the final game. Ursu was the best sharp shooter of the event, nailing 18 points from beyond the arc of her total of 28.
Geske was named the MVP of the men’s division, after leading all scorers with 30 points.
Qualified for the Europe Cup
Men: Germany, Spain
Women: Romania, Spain
Most significant eliminations:
Men: Slovenia, Turkey
Women: Serbia, Belgium
Top Scorers:
Men: 1. Heinrich Geske (Germany), 2. Mukubu Ven-Boss (Belgium), 3. Sergio de la Fuente, Pino Capdevills (Spain)
Women: 1. Aitana Cuevas (Spain), 2. Sonia Ursu (Romania), 3. Ama Degbeon (Germany)
