SHANGHAI (China) – Rapid Bucharest (ROU) went perfect in Pool B, while France (FRA), Netherlands (NED) and Neftchi SOCAR (NEF) all finished 2-1 in a dramatic three-way tie atop Pool A on Day 1 of the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final 2026.
Rapid swept Pool B to earn a direct place in Sunday's Semi-Finals, while France claimed first place in Pool A on total points ahead of Netherlands and Neftchi. Ulaanbaatar Amazons (MGL) and Netherlands will face Quarter-Final tests on Sunday, with Beijing (CHN) also advancing from Pool B.
Rapid Bucharest sweep Pool B
Rapid Bucharest were the standout team in Pool B, overcoming China, Ulaanbaatar Amazons and Beijing to finish the day with a perfect 3-0 record.
Their opening game was a thriller. China appeared to have control for much of the contest, leading 15-11 with two minutes remaining. But Rapid mounted a stunning late comeback, taking a 16-15 lead inside the final minute before holding on for a 17-16 victory. Hortense Limouzin led the way with 8 points as Rapid survived the dramatic finish.
The Romanian side then turned up the pressure against Ulaanbaatar, racing into a 12-5 lead before pulling away for a commanding 21-7 win. Martyna Petrenaite led Rapid with 8 points.
Their final pool game against Beijing was another battle. Beijing were reduced to three players after Wang Xuemeng suffered an injury in their previous game, but continued to fight against the unbeaten Rapid. Beijing stayed within striking distance throughout before Rapid finally pulled away late for a 20-18 victory. Marta Miščenko led Rapid with 9 points.
The perfect record sends Rapid directly into the Semi-Finals, where they will face the winner of Netherlands-Beijing.
France arise from three-way tie in Pool A
Pool A produced one of the most dramatic storylines of the day, with France, Netherlands and Neftchi SOCAR all finishing 2-1. France ultimately emerged on top of the standings on total points, earning a direct Semi-Final berth despite opening the day with a 17-15 defeat to Neftchi.
France bounced back emphatically against Germany, building a commanding 14-8 lead before securing a 21-13 victory. Marie Milapie led the way with 8 points.
That set up a decisive clash with Netherlands. The two teams traded blows throughout a tense contest, with neither able to establish a significant advantage. Netherlands moved ahead 15-14 after an Ilse Kuijt two-pointer, but France responded when Marie Mané hit from beyond the arc to put her team ahead 19-17. Marie-Eve Paget then delivered the decisive blow, knocking down a two-pointer to complete a 21-17 victory.
The result gave France the win they needed to finish 2-1 and take first place in the three-way tie, sending them directly into the Semi-Finals. In the process, the French also ended the Dutch's win streak at 27 games.
Knockout stage set for Sunday
With the pool stage complete, the Shanghai Final moves into its knockout phase on Sunday.
Quarter-Final 1: Ulaanbaatar Amazons vs. Neftchi SOCAR Quarter-Final 2: Netherlands vs. Beijing
The winners will advance to face France and Rapid Bucharest respectively in the Semi-Finals.
Semi-Final 1: France vs. QF 1 Winner Semi-Final 2: Rapid Bucharest vs. QF 2 Winner
The two Semi-Finals winners will battle for the championship.
After a dramatic opening day featuring a perfect run, a three-way tie and several hard-fought finishes, the battle for the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2026 crown is now down to six teams in Shanghai.
Stay Connected
Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official Women's Series website, where you can find the latest news, team standings, player statistics and everything you need to follow the Race to the Final. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3x3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.
Want to learn more about 3x3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3x3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3x3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.
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