3×3 basketball courts, packed stands, games, urban activities, and a vibe only Sport Arena Streetball can deliver. That’s how the weekend in Iași unfolded, where over 250 players and hundreds of spectators turned the Iulius Mall parking lot into a full-blown streetball festival.
Returning for the second consecutive year to the capital of Moldova, BCR Sport Arena Streetball Iași brought together competition, entertainment, and community spirit. From Friday to Sunday, the city hosted the second stop of the national 3×3 basketball circuit during the special 20th anniversary season of Romania’s most beloved streetball project.
Friday: The High School Takeover
The opening day was all about youth competition, with the Iulius High Ballers tournament featuring high school teams from Iași. The courts came alive not just with intense matchups but also with side activities: mini-football, volleyball, mini-basketball, gaming zones, and fan challenges with fun prizes.
Teams from “Grigore Moisil” Computer Science High School dominated the event, winning both U15 and U19 categories. The podium was completed by Liceul Teoretic EVISS, “Alexandru cel Bun” Middle School, “Miron Costin” Theoretical High School, and “Garabet Ibrăileanu” National College.
Saturday: Sunshine and Serious Basketball
After a rainy Friday interrupted the opening matches, Saturday delivered perfect conditions for non-stop basketball. Dozens of games, tight scores, intense rivalries, and plenty of highlights kept the audience on their feet.
“Iași is one of those cities where the crowd’s energy and love for basketball feel completely genuine. It’s a joy to see the local community so engaged and to give young players a professional platform to express themselves. Events like this confirm that urban sports have a real future in Romania, and that 3×3 is more than a game—it’s a growing culture,” said the organizers from Sport Arena Streetball.
Sunday: Indoor Finals, Same Streetball Fire
Sunday brought déjà vu from last year—rain moved the finals indoors to Stomart Hall, where categories like Open Men, U21 Men, and U14 Girls played their championship games. But the atmosphere didn’t miss a beat.
Politehnica Iași Wins Open Men’s Title
The most anticipated final saw Politehnica Iași defeat TM Pitbulls 21-18, in a hard-fought match that they led from start to finish. Alexandru Pădineanu was the game-changer, earning MVP honors and a Tissot watch courtesy of Albini Prassa, official distributor of the Swiss brand.
Key Results from the Tournament:
- 🏆 U10 Mixed: Rising Stars beat Watermelon Squad 5-1
- 🏀 U14 Boys: Stomart (Iași) defeated First Time (Suceava) 13-8
- 🏀 U14 Girls: Triple Threat edged out Spartanele 9-8
- 🔥 U16 Boys: 4 Burning Hot (Iași) dominated Lakers in 5, score 21-11
- ✨ U18 Boys: Gazoflex (Galați) beat Gelu și șamponu’ 20-16
- MVP: Matei-Teodor Șorodoc (34 points)
- 🧁 U21 Men: Belelele topped Patiserii 21-15
- 🏆 Open Men: Politehnica Iași defeated TM Pitbulls 21-18
More Than Just Basketball
In addition to the 3×3 action, the event featured volleyball exhibition matches and training sessions organized by CSS Unirea Volei, Spike AP Volei, CS Preventis, and ACS HV Junior Iași. Even local BCR employees swapped office attire for jerseys and hit the courts, showing off their own 3×3 skills.
A Historic Anniversary Season
The Iași stop marked the second event in the 20th anniversary season of Sport Arena Streetball, a project that began in 2005 and has since been instrumental in the rise of 3×3 basketball in Romania. Today, 3×3 is an Olympic sport—and Sport Arena Streetball remains a driving force in the sport’s grassroots development and community growth.
