Serbia shine at FIBA 3x3 U18 Europe Cup Italy Qualifier

RIETI (Italy) - Serbia's men looked just as dominant as their older compatriots at the FIBA 3x3 U18 Europe Cup Italy Qualifier on August 3-4.

The 3x3 U18 Europe Cup 2018 runner-ups Serbia will get a chance to avenge their final loss after earning their ticket to the 2019 edition in Georgia.

Another Dusan (Simjanovski) scored the game-winner in the decider against Croatia (21-14).

The other men's team that advanced to Georgia is Italy, who defeated Spain, the bronze medalists from last year, in front of a packed audience. Their top scorer Gianmarco Arletti finished #1 in the scoring charts with 41 points in 5 games.

 
In the women's category, Spain this time defeated the Italian hosts in the knock-out game to win their ticket to Georgia. Last year's semi-finalist Estel Puiggros was big for Spain. She led her team in scoring and finished 3rd overall (5 points behind the event's top scorer Martyna Kowalska from Poland).

Spain 🇪🇸 qualifies for the FIBA 3x3 U18 Europe Cup after beating Italy 🇮🇹 in a thrilling end! 🔥👌 #3x3U18@BaloncestoESP pic.twitter.com/rBHvq93gco

 
Alongside Spain, Germany qualified after defeating Poland in their last game of the day. 

Germany 🇩🇪 seal their spot for the FIBA 3x3 U18 Europe Cup! 🔥👌 #3x3U18 @DBB_Basketball pic.twitter.com/YscRQJoB37

Qualified to the Europe Cup:

Men: Italy & Serbia
Women: Spain & Germany

Most significant eliminations:

Men: Spain, Croatia, Netherlands
Women: Italy

The FIBA 3x3 U18 Europe Cup 2019 will be played with 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams on September 6-8 in Tbilisi, Georgia.