Liman return to winning ways at FIBA 3x3 Poitiers Challenger 2024

POITIERS (France) - Powerhouse Liman (SRB) rediscovered their best form to claim the FIBA 3x3 Poitiers Challenger 2024 on June 29. 

Here's what happened in the sixth Challenger of the season.

The winner: Liman (SRB)

They were: No.1 points & fewest points allowed

This legendary Serb team had a tough title defence at the Chengdu Masters, falling at the quarters. 

But No.3 seed Liman quickly shrugged off that disappointment in an unbeaten campaign in Poitiers.

After getting past Bordeaux Ballistik (FRA) and Plunge (LTU) on Day One, Liman put their foot on the gas to easily beat Warsaw Lotto (POL) in the quarters. 

It set up a blockbuster against Riffa (BRN), who were also determined to bounce back from a disappointing performance in Chengdu. Liman relied on a brilliant effort from superstar Stefan Kojic, who finished with a triple-five of 7 points, 5 rebounds and 7 highlights. 

It didn't get any easier for Liman, who were pushed all the way by top seed Vienna (AUT) in a crazy final. The teams went shot for shot before Dusan Popovic hit the biggest bucket to clinch the title for Liman.  

Kojic was a deserved MVP after dominating the major stats, including finishing No.1 in points (43) and second in player-value (48.2). 

 

The runner-up: Vienna (AUT) 

The top seed have been ultra consistent so far this season and tuned up nicely for the Edmonton Masters with a strong run in Poitiers. 

They showcased their grit with a pair of tight Ws on Day One against Pirot (SRB) and Warsaw Lotto (POL) before beating Bordeaux Ballistik (FRA) and Hangzhou (CHN) relatively comfortably in the quarters. 

Star Quincy Diggs was brilliant against Hangzhou with a triple-five of 6 points, 5 rebounds and 5 highlights and combined brilliantly with speedy Nico Kaltenbrunner who was on a heater all tournament long. 

Vienna fell agonizingly short in the final, but a first title of the season doesn't feel far off. 

The Final: Liman 21-Vienna 20

Two of the best teams in the business squared off and they didn't disappoint. Liman superstar Stefan Kojic got on the board early and he was on fire as he soon added a two-piece. 

Quincy Diggs hit a couple of buckets to ensure Vienna kept pace, but Kojic broke the deadlock with another two-ball as he threatened to take control. 

It became a battle between Kojic and Nico Kaltenbrunner, who went into attack mode and relentlessly drove to the rim. He also showed he could splash from deep to tie the scores as the game went down to the wire. 

But Liman went down low to big fella Marko Stevanovic, who stuffed the rim and gave his team some breathing room. Kojic appeared to lead his team to the W with three quick points to give Liman a 20-18 lead only for Enis Murati to hit the clutch two. 

But Liman were cool under pressure with Kojic prettily feeding Dusan Popovic for the layup to call game. 

 

The reward: Three tickets to the Debrecen Masters

Liman, Vienna and Riffa booked their spots to the Debrecen Masters on August 31-September 1.

Final Standings:
1. Liman (SRB)
2. Vienna (AUT)
3. Riffa (BRN)
4. Hangzhou (CHN)
5. Kandava Turiba (LAT)

Top Scorers:
1. Stefan Kojic (Liman, SRB) 43 pts
2. Nico Kaltenbrunner (Vienna, AUT) 37 pts
3. Goran Vidovic (Hangzhou, CHN) 34 pts
4. Jonas Foerts (Riffa, BRN) 30 pts
5. Dennis Donkor (Riffa, BRN) 30 pts

Key Stats:
- Jonas Foerts (Riffa) starred for Riffa and his masterpiece was against Marupe (LAT) in the quarters, where he tallied a triple-five of 14 points, 7 rebounds and 7 highlights. 
- Hangzhou's Goran Vidovic was lights out on Day Two, where he hit a Buzzer Beater to down Kandava Turiba (LAT) in the quarters then produced a triple-five of 5 points, 8 rebounds and 5 highlights in the semis against Vienna. 
-Hangzhou were involved in the three fastest games of the tournament, with the quickest being against Tel-Aviv (ISR) on Day One (ISR) at 6'52". 

FIBA