3x3 – Preparation pays for France and Ukraine

ATHENS (FIBA 3x3 World Championship) – Ukraine have seen enough of quadruple 3x3 World Championship medallists France, who beat them in both the Women’s and the Mixed Semi-Finals.

The disappointment faded within two hours, as the Ukrainians were able to celebrate bronze medals in both the Men's and the Mixed events.

The success of France and Ukraine, who were the only countries to have reached the Semi-Finals in all three categories, may be down to more than luck or a group of talented players.

Both National Federations have developed specific 3x3 programmes.

Dmytro Lypovtsev, who from downtown scored the overtime winner for bronze against Israel, gave us an insight into Ukraine's preparations.

“We have a national championship that goes throughout the whole summer,” he said.

“The best three teams’ players (of both the men and the women’s Championship) were selected to prepare for this tournament.

“Then we had two weeks during which the best ones were selected, and then we came here.

“We trained a lot of combination defense and offense.”

Laetitia Kamba, who will return to her home country with a gold and a silver, also went through trials to be picked for France.

“The preparation for this tournament started in June with a selection process starting with eight female players and eight male players,” she said.

“The final cut was made end of July with the four players of each.”

“We prepared in Paris, we started training with a lot of one on one.”

Asked about the mixed tournament, Kamba said: “We were very interested and tried it once in practice, and immediately set the team.”

“Of course we get hit.

“I have been hit a few times but I like getting knocks (she laughs).

“It’s a contact sport, of course you get hit but you also dish some knocks out yourself.”

Lypovtsev explained how Ukraine prepared for the Mixed competition.

“We were training with the ladies, with the women’s balls,” he explained.

“Some girls play just like the guys.

“I had some girls put some hard screens on me. Not just France, but the Czech Republic and others.”

FIBA