AMSTERDAM (Netherlands) - Home favorites Netherlands (NED) successfully defended their crown on home soil after defeating Rapid Bucharest (HUN) 20-14 in the Final of the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Amsterdam 2026.
Backed by a passionate home crowd at the NDSM Wharf, the Dutch were in control for most of the Final and capped off an undefeated tournament run to secure their first FIBA 3x3 Women's Series stop victory of 2026.
The Final
The Final started as a physical battle with Netherlands taking an early 5-2 lead before gradually asserting themselves through their size advantage and efficient pick-and-roll execution. Rapid Bucharest struggled to find offensive rhythm as the Dutch stretched the margin to 14-7 late in the contest. A clutch two-pointer from Ilse Kuijt effectively sealed the outcome before Netherlands closed out a convincing 20-14 victory.
Evelien Lutje Schipholt led the winners with 8 points in the Final, while tournament MVP Noortje Driessen once again played a key role throughout the event.
Road To The Final
Netherlands booked their place in the championship game after a hard-fought 19-17 Semi-Finals victory over Italy (ITA), with Driessen scoring 7 points and Kuijt knocking down a crucial late two-pointer. Rapid Bucharest joined them in the Final following one of the games of the tournament, rallying from a 19-17 deficit in the closing seconds before Hortense Limouzin completed a dramatic 21-19 overtime victory against Netherlands U25 (NED).
Earlier in the Quarter-Finals, Netherlands cruised past Ireland (IRL) 21-7 behind 9 points from Lutje Schipholt, while Italy rallied to defeat Portugal (POR) 16-14. Rapid Bucharest dominated France U25 (FRA) 21-7 thanks to 11 points from Martyna Petrenaite, and Netherlands U25 produced the upset of the round by edging Beijing (CHN) 16-15. During pool play, Rapid Bucharest, Beijing, Italy and Netherlands each topped their respective groups, with the Dutch particularly impressive after a dominant 22-4 victory over Croatia (CRO) and a 15-10 win against Netherlands U25.
MVP
Driessen earned MVP honors after leading the tournament in total points (31) and key assists (14). The Dutch star also finished second overall in player value (43.5), highlights (22) and total two-pointers made (6), underlining her all-around impact during Netherlands' winning run.
Final Standings
1. Netherlands (NED) 2. Rapid Bucharest (ROU) 3. Netherlands U25 (NED) 4. Italy (ITA) 5. Beijing (CHN) 6. Portugal (POR) 7. France U25 (FRA) 8. Ireland (IRL) 9. Mitsubishi Electric (JPN) 10. Romania (ROU) 11. Belgium (BEL) 12. Croatia (CRO)
The FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2026 continues with a busy week ahead as teams head to the Ulaanbaatar Women's Series on June 25-26, while the Poitiers Women's Series takes place on June 26-27.
FIBA