UTSUNOMIYA (Japan) – Liman (SRB) and Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED) went unbeaten to headline the teams advancing to the quarter-finals on Day 1 of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Utsunomiya Opener 2026.
Both teams controlled their pools with efficient performances, while a series of close games and standout individual efforts defined the opening day in Japan.
Liman take control in Pool D
Liman showed composure throughout to finish on top of Pool D.
They opened with a 22-15 win over Taipei WanBao (TPE) before locking in qualification with a 16-11 victory against Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU), using a decisive late run to separate in a low-scoring contest.
The Lithuanians responded in their final game, edging Taipei WanBao, 15-12, behind a dominant display from Evaldas Džiaugys, who poured in 12 points and proved difficult to contain throughout the day.
Amsterdam bounce back to stay perfect
Amsterdam RABOBANK delivered a strong response after recent Challenger struggles, finishing unbeaten in Pool C.
They opened with a 21-9 win over Utsunomiya (JPN) before defeating Shanghai (CHN), 21-17, to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
Maarten Bouwknecht led the charge across both games, combining efficient shooting, including a five two-point performance in the opener, with composed playmaking to guide Amsterdam through.
Shanghai also advanced after defeating Utsunomiya, 20-17, with Cameron Forte recording 9 points and 10 rebounds.
Skyliners surge, Miami advance
Skyliners (GER) impressed with an unbeaten run in Pool B.
They defeated Miami (USA), 21-15, behind a strong performance from Leon Fertig, before edging Vienna (AUT), 18-17, in a tightly contested finish.
Miami secured qualification with a 21-15 win over Vienna earlier in the day, with James Parrott leading the scoring.
Ub tested but progress
Top seed Ub (SRB) were pushed but still advanced from Pool A.
They edged Antwerp (BEL), 18-17, in a game that went down to the final seconds before defeating Toulouse (FRA), 22-17.
Nenad Nerandžić provided interior presence, while Filip Kaluderovic sealed the second win with a late two-pointer.
Antwerp stayed alive with a narrow 16-15 win over Toulouse.
Shootout Contest
Meanwhile, Niklas Kropp (Skyliners, GER) and Souleymane Coulibaly (Utsunomiya, JPN) advanced to the shootout contest final, which will take place on Day 2. They are joined by Wang Hsin-wei (Taipei WanBao) and Bouwknecht.
Quarter-final matchups
QF1: Ub vs. Shanghai QF2: Liman vs. Miami QF3 Skyliners vs. Raudondvaris Hoptrans QF4: Amsterdam RABOBANK vs. Antwerp
What’s next
The competition moves into the knockout phase on Day 2, where the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Final will determine the first FIBA 3x3 World Tour winner of the 2026 season. The Shootout Contest Final and Slam Dunk Contest will also take place on Day 2
FIBA