MATARO (Spain) - A slew of emerging teams will be fancying a first title in 2025 as the pro circuit journeys to the FIBA 3x3 Mataro Challenger on September 27-28. Let's preview the 15th Challenger of the season.
The Favorites
We have to start with Carolina (PUR), the potent Puerto Ricans who have yet to win a title in 2025. But they've gotten mightily close having reached the final of WT Edmonton, where sniper Antonio Ralat was red hot.
But he's not the only big name in Mataro, with top seed London (USA) boasting the one-two punch of Ashley Hamilton and Justin Pierce. The American team have gone off the boil recently, but they will enter with swagger knowing they are the top dog.
There are a couple of emerging Spanish teams who should be inspired by the passionate support of the local fans.
No.3 seed Barcelona (ESP) will be led by World Cup MVP Guim Exposito, while Marbella (ESP) have their own World Cup hero with Diego De Blas set to put up bucket after bucket on Spanish soil.
The Field
Our bad. Kandava Turiba (LAT) really should have made the cut of contenders because they have two dudes part of Latvia's silver medal winning effort at the recent Europe Cup. Rihards Kuksiks and Zigmars Raimo were big-time on the continental stage, while Kandava Turiba also boast OG Edgars Krumins.
Bordeaux (FRA) have already reached the final once before on the pro circuit and will no doubt be a threat again, while Haarlem (NED) loom as a dark horse and they will unleash a team full of rising Dutchmen. Valencia (ESP) and Podebrady (CZE) are the favorites to emerge from QD.
Pools Pool A: London (USA), Ermont SENEF (FRA), Mataro (ESP) Pool B: Carolina (PUR), Haarlem (NED), Rome (ITA) Pool C: Barcelona (ESP), Marbella (ESP), QD Pool D: Kandava Turiba (LAT), Bordeaux (FRA), QD What's at stake The top 3 teams in Mataro will qualify for the WT Macau on October 18-19 as part of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2025. How to watch The two-day extravaganza is on September 27-28 and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube pages.
FIBA