Australia assert dominance at FIBA 3x3 W Series Guba stop 2024

GUBA (Azerbaijan) - Olympic-ready Australia were unstoppable in Azerbaijan, defeating the Netherlands 21 - 15 in the final to win the FIBA 3x3 Guba stop 2024 on July 20 - 21. 

The winner: Australia

The Aussies were on top form yet again as they went unbeaten in Guba. They started out with a 20 - 17 victory against China U24. Monster games from the duo of Anneli Maley and Marena Whittle proved to be the difference maker with Maley grabbing 10 rebounds while Whittle put up 10 points. 

It was a closely-fought battle against the Netherlands next, going all the way to OT at 20 apiece. Alex Wilson, who had 7 points in regulation capped off a scorching game with an icy 2 to call game. 

They closed off pool phase with a shellacking against Baku Flames. 8 points from Lauren Mansfield and an 8 point - 8 rebound game from Maley sealed the 21 - 3 victory. 

They handled business against Czechia in the Semis, a 17-10 win with a huge defensive effort from Wilson while Whittle put up a game-high 8 points. 

The runner-up: Netherlands

The Dutch started off hot, steamrolling past local side Baku Flames 21 - 4. Noortje Driessen put up 9 points and 6 rebounds in the result. They suffered a narrow loss to Australia in OT despite 8-point efforts from Driessen and Loyce Bettonvil. 

They closed off pool play strong with an 18 - 11 win against China U24 thanks to a huge 10-point game from Driessen. 

They followed it up with a couple of close games. A 19 - 17 win against the Philippines and a 16-15 win against Düsseldorf ZOOS, Driessen shining in the first while Kiki Fleuren closed off the Semis with 8 points. 

They booked themselves a spot in the final, a rematch of an absolute battle in pool play. 

The final

Australia 21 - 15 Netherlands

The Dutch were first on the scoresheet with Julia Jorritsma before Marena Whittle answered back. The two teams traded buckets, but big buckets by Mansfield handed The Gangurrus a 4-point lead. 

Noortje Driessen pulled her side back into the game, cutting the deficit to one before Maley and Whittle pulled the Aussies ahead comfortably. Mansfield made it 15-8, which made the result inevitable. 

It was Maley who finally called game with a mid-range effort, earning the Aussies a dominant stop win in Guba. 

Standings 

1. Australia

2. Netherlands

3. Düsseldorf ZOOS (GER)

4. Czechia

5. China U24

6. Philippines 

7. Baku Flames (AZE)

8. Iran

What’s next

The W Series will return post-Olympics, this time in the capital of Azerbaijan as the Baku Pristina Women's Series stop goes down on August 17 - 18.