VIENNA (Austria) - The unstoppable Netherlands resumed the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2025 in style after an unbeaten run at the Vienna Stop on June 13-14.
Here's what happened at the fifth Stop. The winner: Netherlands There is a clear standout team this season after the Netherlands won their third title in dominant fashion. If it wasn't for a tight loss against Latvia in the Baku final then the Dutchwomen would be literally unbeatable.
They left off from their dominant first quarter of the season with a performance that underlined why the Netherlands have gained a stranglehold of the Women's Series. Opponents were helpless in scoring against the long-armed, athletic women in orange as no team scored more than 15 points on them.
They lifted their intensity at the business end with Ukraine and Madrid (ESP) only able to score in single digits against one of the most suffocating defenses we've ever seen in the Women's Series.
Noortje Driessen was once again a two way force to walk off with her third MVP of the season and underline why she's the No.1 player in the world.
The runner-up: Madrid (ESP)
The Spaniards made a mockery of their No.8 seeding and showed considerable improvement after struggling in Marseille. Only Netherlands had the better of them - twice - as Madrid showcased plenty of grit to overcome Gyor (HUN) in the quarters, but they looked down and out with Ainhoa Gervasini unable to play for the rest of the event.
Star Marta Canella stepped up with 11 points and 7 rebounds in the semis against CS Rapid Bucharest (ROU) as Madrid played without a sub. Their fitness was tested as the game went into OT, but Ana-Maria Palma Jorge stepped up to be the hero with a two-piece Buzzer Beater.
But their brave campaign ended at the hands of the Netherlands as this proud Madrid team finally ran out of gas.
The Final: Netherlands 15-Madrid 9
Top seed Netherlands entered as hot favorite against a weakened Madrid playing with just three players. Athletic marvel Janis Boonstra made a statement early with a slick move in the paint to get the Netherlands on the board, but Madrid hung around early due to tough defense.
Points were hard to come by in a game with huge stakes before superstar Driessen decided to take over with a trio of buckets, including a banked jumper as the Netherlands created some breathing room at the halfway point.
Ilse Kuijt drilled a two as the title was within reach for the Netherlands, who clamped down on defense in the last two minutes as they held Madrid scoreless in the final two minutes.
Boonstra finished the game like she started with a bucket down low as Netherlands soon celebrated another triumph.
Final Standings: 1. Netherlands 2. Madrid (ESP) 3. CS Rapid Bucharest (ROU) 4. Ukraine 5. Gyor (HUN) Next Stop: The W Series will journey to Ulaanbaatar on June 18-19.
FIBA