Men’s world champions, Serbia. Women’s world silver medalists Russia. Two of the most amazing dunkers in the world, Guy Dupuy and Jonathan Clark. Plus plenty to cheer for the local fans, as both Romanian NT will be part of the tournament. These are the main ingredients for what will most probably be an unforgettable 3×3 basketball weekend at Mamaia Beach, the most exquisite tourist summer destination in Romania, located in the city of Constanta.
Freshly crowned kings of the world for a whooping fourth time, the Serbians from Novi Sad are starting their quest for the only trophy missing from their track record, the European one. Marko Zdero is back in the traditional roster, replacing Stefan Stojacic after the World Cup. Serbia will face Georgia and Lithuania in Pool A.
Poland is one of the teams that has regular appearances in the continental and world cups, finishing 8th in Bucharest, in 2016 FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup and 4th in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Manila, just a few weeks ago. The Polish guys are arriving in Constanta as the number 2 seed and their leader, Michael Hicks is ready to make the trip worthy. For sure the fans will love him for his style on and off the court.
Spain will be a top contender for Poland in Pool B, while Azerbaijan can only hope for some miracle if they want to reach the quarter finals.
The local favorites, Romania, are bringing new players on the table for this qualifier. Amedeo Casale, part of the team that finished 7th in the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup in 2015, together with Vlad Cobzaru, alumni of Augusta University will join Marius Ciotlaus and Vlad Dumitrescu who just returned from Manila. Already qualified, as the host of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup, Romania will face Bosnia-Herzegovina and Sweden in Pool C.
Germany is sending to Constanta its young guns. All the players are U22 and two of them are still teenagers. This team finished second at the Big Twelve tournament dedicated to U23 national teams, earlier this month in Voiron. Germany has the fourth seed in Constanta and will be part of pool D together with Croatia and Ireland.
The winners of the quarter finals will advance to the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup. However, if Romania reaches and wins one of the QF, than classification games will be played until the last qualified team will be determined.
In the women’s competition, Netherlands and Russia are the heavy favorites to qualify for the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup in Bucharest, as the number one and number two seeds.
The number one seed in Constanta in women’s competition is coming with big expectations, after finishing fourth at the first ever FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup in 2014 and getting a bronze medal on their home soil last year. On the world stage the girls from Pays Bas finished ninth earlier this month in Manila.
One of the powerhouses in the women 3×3 basketball, Russia is ready to qualify yet one more time to the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup, after two golds and one bronze in the past three editions. Add two silver medals and one gold in the FIBA 3×3 World Cups and you have the full picture of what Russia means in women 3×3 basketball. Come and witness greatness.
Netherlands will face Switzerland, Slovakia, Lithuania and Israel in Pool A, while Russia will battle Romania, Austria and Belgium in Pool B.
In the women’s category, the winner of each pool is directly qualified for the 3×3 Europe Cup. The 2nd and 3rd placed teams will play against the 2nd and 3rd teams from the other pool. Winners from those games play for a spot in the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup. If Romania (as hosts of the final) finish in the Top 3, then the team finishing 4th qualifies for the Europe Cup.
Guy Dupuy and Jonathan Clark, assisted by the Dunk Godfather himself, Kadour Ziani, will rock the crowd with two slam-dunk sessions, one in each day.
Constanta is one of the of the most active 3×3 destinations in Romania in the past three years, with more than 10 FIBA 3×3 Endorsed events organized by the Constanta Basketball Association together with the local authorities.
