One of the most exciting moments of the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League tournament was offered by Romania’s national team on Sunday evening. The tricolors played on equal footing with Germany, the strongest team in the competition, and the Euro 2024 spirit was fully felt through the crowd’s cheers.
The Nations League, a 3×3 basketball competition dedicated to youth teams, hosted a stage in Bucharest for the third consecutive year at ParkLake Shopping Center, and the event was funded by the Sector 3 City Hall through non-reimbursable local budget funds.
Germany, the main favorite of the Nations League, a team with players who are already playing in the professional senior circuit even though they are under 21, dominated the competition but found themselves trailing 5-0 in the first minutes of their game against Romania. The romanians, down to just three players from early in the match after Marian Cochela’s injury, surprised Germany with their incredible energy and tremendous effort. Romania kept up the pace until the score was tied 14-14, with two and a half minutes left in the game.
Ultimately, the much more experienced and talented German team prevailed 21-16 in a David versus Goliath battle. Robert Spoitoru was the third-highest scorer of the stage, with 16 points. Romania secured just one win, against Turkey on the first day, with an 18-16 victory, placing them fifth after the first three stages.
Urban Sports Festival Lasts Three Days
The Nations League matches once again provided an excellent opportunity for the 3×3 basketball community to gather for three days at a new urban sports festival, organized by Sport Arena Streetball. The fan zone was the main attraction, where prize contests and sports activities for all sports enthusiasts kept the energy alive. Spectators had the chance to interact with players on the warm-up court, participate in various games, and enjoy non-stop music.
The luckiest fans also had the opportunity to participate in contests organized right on the court, set up inside ParkLake Shopping Center.
Cheerleaders and Acrobatics Performances
Artists from the Bucharest Metropolitan Circus were present to keep the atmosphere lively during game breaks with magical moments of acrobatics and juggling. The iSports Ploiești cheerleaders and young dancers from the Drag de Măgurele folk ensemble prepared several engaging performances, with the crowd’s favorite being a choreography set to the song “Made in Romania,” which was also a hit with fans during Euro 2024.
Team Motivation: Determination and Passion
The tournament at ParkLake Shopping Center also featured an exhibition wheelchair basketball match between teams from Motivation Romania Foundation, aptly named Wheels of Change and Riders on the Storm. The game showcased that sports are beneficial not only for health but also for the inclusion of people with disabilities. The organization’s mission is to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Some of its main programs include donating mobility equipment and guiding wheelchair users towards independent living after accidents.
The FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League event, hosted at ParkLake Shopping Center, was organized by ACS Sport Promotion, Sport Arena Streetball, and the Romanian Basketball Federation, with funding from the Sector 3 City Hall through non-reimbursable local budget funds.
Event partners: Mastercard, Nike, BCR, BCR Leasing, BCR Life Insurance – VIG, SMT Subaru, Tissot, Horizon, Kandia Dulce, Pep&Pepper, and Gelateria La Romana.
