ANTWERP (Belgium) — The Netherlands are not here simply to defend their FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup crown. They are here to finish the season on top. The reigning champions took another step toward that goal on Day 2 in Antwerp for the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup Crelan 2026, overcoming Azerbaijan and Ukraine to advance from Pool A, with Noortje Driessen once again at the heart of their campaign. For the reigning Europe Cup MVP, the formula has been straightforward: bring the physicality, find the rhythm and make every possession count.
The opening test against Azerbaijan was never expected to be simple. The two teams know each other well, with the Netherlands having beaten Azerbaijan in last year's Europe Cup Final, and Driessen knew the danger the reigning runners-up posed.
"They have a lot of talented players who can make an impact individually," Driessen said. "We knew we had to be ready from the very start."
That focus was evident from the opening possession. The Netherlands made physicality a priority and, once their shooting found its range, began to pull away.
"At some point, we started finding our rhythm from beyond the arc and knocking down our two-pointers, which helped us create separation," Driessen explained.
It was the kind of performance the Dutch will need as the pressure rises. Driessen herself hogged the spotlight with an historic performance against Azerbaijan, putting up 13 points. That tied the single-game record for most points scored by a women’s player in FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup history.
Every game in Pool A carried knockout round consequences, and Ukraine provided another physical challenge in the Netherlands' final pool game. Driessen knows there are no easy routes at this stage of the competition.
"The stakes are high and there's a lot of pressure," she said. "We know we'll have to earn every result, but we're confident in our ability to get out of the group and advance to the next stage."
That confidence is hardly surprising. The Netherlands arrived in Antwerp as defending European champions and one of the most established teams in women's 3x3 basketball. Driessen, Janis Boonstra, Ilse Kuijt and Evelien Lutje Schipholt have already shared some of the biggest stages in the discipline, and their chemistry remains one of their biggest assets.
However, there is also a sense of occasion. After a long season together, the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup represents the final chance to add another banner to the collection, especially after the disappointment of the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final 2026 just a week ago.
"We want to enjoy the final tournament of the season because we've had a really good year together," Driessen said.
Enjoyment, however, does not mean lowering the standards.
"Our goal is to fight for a medal, and we'll do everything we can to achieve that. We want to finish the season on a high note," she declared.
The Netherlands have now done their part in the pool phase. The real pressure begins on Sunday.
And if Driessen has her way, the defending champions will still be standing when the medals are decided.
Stay Connected
Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3x3 Cups tournaments throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official FIBA 3x3 website, where you can find the latest news, star players and everything you need to know. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3x3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.
Want to learn more about 3x3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3x3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3x3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.
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