SHANGHAI (China) – France (FRA) ended their wait for a FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2026 stop victory in emphatic fashion, defeating Rapid Bucharest (ROU) 22-14 in the Final to claim the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final 2026 on September 6.
After finishing first in the three-way tie in Pool A on Day 1, France delivered when it mattered most, defeating Neftchi SOCAR (AZE) in the Semi-Finals before overcoming Rapid in the championship game to secure their first Women's Series stop win of the season -- and the biggest one at that.
The victory also marked France's third FIBA 3x3 Women's Series season title, following their previous triumphs in 2019 and 2024.
Finishing the job
France entered the knockout rounds as Pool A winners after going 2-1 on Day 1 and topping the three-way tie on total points.
They then faced a tough Neftchi SOCAR side in the Semi-Finals. The contest was physical and low-scoring from the outset, with the two teams tied 2-2 early. France gradually established control, moving ahead 7-3 midway through the game before Neftchi fought back.
Brianna Fraser, who had suffered an early injury, returned to the court and helped keep Neftchi within striking distance. But Laetitia Guapo continued to make an impact for France, helping her team maintain an 11-8 advantage with under two minutes remaining.
Marie Mané then delivered the decisive blow, hitting a big two-pointer to put France ahead 15-11. Fraser answered with another two-pointer, but France held on for a 15-13 victory and a place in the Final.
Awaiting them was Rapid Bucharest, who had swept Pool B before defeating Netherlands 18-14 in their Semi-Final.
France control Final
The championship game began as a tight affair, with France holding a narrow 4-3 advantage early.
France then began to pull away. They extended their lead to 6-3 before taking control midway through the game at 10-5. Rapid struggled to generate consistent offense as France did an excellent job containing Marta Miščenko inside.
France continued to hold the advantage, moving ahead 13-7 with four minutes remaining and eventually building a 16-12 lead with under three minutes to play.
Rapid refused to go quietly. Hortense Limouzin missed three free throws as France maintained a 16-12 advantage, but Rapid stayed alive when they cut the deficit to 16-14 with a minute remaining.
France responded immediately. Marie-Eve Paget knocked down a crucial two-pointer to restore a four-point cushion before Guapo added a free throw to make it 19-14. France closed out the championship from there, eventually securing a 22-14 victory. Paget added a buzzer-beating two-pointer to put the finishing touches on France's title triumph.
The victory made both Guapo and Paget three-time FIBA 3x3 Women's Series winners, having also been part of the France teams that won in 2019 and 2024.
Guapo named MVP
Guapo was at the heart of France's championship run and was rewarded with the MVP award. The French star finished the Project Redwings Shanghai Final ranked second in total player value with 38.2, while also grabbing 22 rebounds, third-most in the tournament, and scoring 30 points, good for fourth overall.
Her all-around contribution proved decisive as France navigated two difficult knockout games and ultimately lifted the championship trophy.
Young Talent's Laura Award
Beijing's (CHN) Li Ruoying was named the winner of the Young Talent's Laura Award, recognizing the best U25 player of the Shanghai Final. Despite Beijing's campaign, Li and her teammates fought through to the knockout stage and provided one of the home crowd's standout stories.
Final Standings
1. France (FRA) 2. Rapid Bucharest (ROU) 3. Netherlands (NED) 4. Neftchi SOCAR (AZE) 5. Ulaanbaatar Amazons (MGL) 6. Beijing (CHN) 7. China (CHN) 8. Germany (GER)
What's Next?
The FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2026 season has come to an end, with France lifting the Shanghai Final title to cap another action-packed campaign.
Attention now turns to 2027, with the next FIBA 3x3 Women's Series season set to bring another opportunity for teams, players and federations to build momentum and strengthen their position on the road toward the LA 28 Olympic Games.
For France, the Shanghai triumph provides another major boost to a program that has now captured its third Women's Series season championship. With Laetitia Guapo, Marie-Eve Paget and their teammates finishing the season on top, the French will head into the offseason with plenty of confidence.
The rest of the field will now have a chance to recharge before beginning preparations for the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2027 and another season of high-level 3x3 action.
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About FIBA 3x3
Exciting, urban and innovative, 3x3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court.
With a yearly professional circuit for men and women (World Tour and Women’s Series, respectively) and national-team competitions. 3x3 made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Wilson is the Global Ball Partner and Fourteen the official Apparel Partner of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour.
FIBA 3x3 events are played on Enlio floors with Wilson balls, Schelde backstops, Bodet shot-clocks, the Magic Sky canopy and the Avant seating system.
For further information about 3x3, visit fiba3x3.basketball, FIBA 3x3 accounts on Douyin, Facebook, Instagram, Sina Weibo, Tencent, TikTok, Twitch, Twitter, Youku and YouTube or contact 3x3@fiba.basketball.
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