MIES (Switzerland) - It's been an exciting start to the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2025 with four thrilling Stops already in the bag.
Let's take a temperature check at the season's quarter mark.
Netherlands are the team to beat
Former European champs Netherlands have laid down a marker and their revenge tour has started in fine fashion having won stops in Chengdu and in front of their passionate fans in Amsterdam.
They narrowly fell short of a hat-trick of titles after losing to Latvia in the final in Baku, but these women in orange have set the standard so far.
Noortje Driessen has proven why she is the No.1 player in the world by winning two MVPs, but she has had plenty of help through fellow stars Janis Boonstra and Ilse Kuijt. Supremely athletic and determined, having lost in the final of last year's Women's Series Final, the Netherlands are the team to beat right now. They seemingly already have top spot locked up having tallied 280 points compared to next best Ulaanbaatar Amazons (MGL) with 140.
Legendary teams still making waves
We've only seen Olympic silver medalist Spain and AmeriCup champs Canada at one stop each. But they didn't disappoint with Spain clinching the title in Marseille after superstar Vega Gimeno put up huge numbers to win MVP.
Spain's spirit and never-say-die attitude was evident as they continue a golden period which started at last year's Paris Olympics and also includes winning the Europe Cup and finishing second at the Champions Cup.
Former Women's Series Final champs Canada balled out in Amsterdam in their season debut with a runner-up finish having won the inaugural Champions Cup. Superstars Katherine Plouffe and Paige Crozon were unstoppable to prove they have not lost any of their old time magic.
Latvia are a rising force
Latvia's men are an OG in 3x3, but now it's time for the women to stand up. Just days after qualifying for the World Cup, Latvia created history after winning their first Women's Series Stop following an epic victory over favorite Netherlands in the Baku final.
These young guns have announced themselves as a new powerhouse on the women's circuit, with the standout being 24-year-old Ketija Vihmane after her MVP effort in Baku. She was all buckets and combined with inside force Marta Miscenko to provide plenty of firepower for Latvia.
Having gained so much confidence after their breakout dub, Latvia are set to go up a level and don't be surprised if they add more titles this season.
Young guns are stepping up
We've already seen the emergence of new stars this season. We've seen glimpses of insanely talented 24-year-old Katerina Galickova but she's gone up a level in 2025 as gleaned after she led Czechia to a barnstorming run to the final in Marseille.
She's not the only young gun turning heads with 24-year-old Ariuntsetseg Bat-Erdene on fire for Ulaanbaatar Amazons, who have started the season strongly.
Other talented players that we can't just wait to see again this season include new Australia sensation Miela Goodchild and clutch 24-year-old Sroifa Phetnin, who had an insane three buzzer beaters for Bangkok CT (THA) during their stirring semi-final run in Chengdu.
The talent on the Women's Series has never been more exciting and deeper than right now.
Spots to the Women's Series Final will be hard fought We're only at the quarter-final mark, but it is going to be a dogfight for teams desperate to make the cut for the eight-team Women's Series Final in September.
Just 80 points separates second-placed Ulaanbaatar Amazons and 17th Chile - reminder 100 points goes to winners at every Stop, while second placed grabs 80 points. It will be a battle royale with Australia currently in eighth spot, but just 18 points ahead of Canada.
It's going to be a thrilling ride with every result having huge stakes in the race to the showpiece event of the season.
FIBA