BORDEAUX (France) - After almost a month's break, the FIBA 3x3 Challenger circuit is back with the all-important Bordeaux Stop on August 22-23.
Let's preview the 10th Challenger of the season.
The Favorites
The greatest show we've seen on the half-court rolls on as unstoppable Ub (SRB) seeks to continue this crazy purple patch. Ub have won six of their last seven events, including five straight on the World Tour.
The No.1 seed will bring together the dudes that just recently went all the way in Lausanne, where GOAT Strahinja Stojacic dazzled as usual but it was muscular Nemanja Barac who deservedly got plenty of attention with an MVP performance.
There are a number of rivals sick and tired of the success of the Serbs. No.2 Toulouse (FRA) have had a highly successful season in their own right, as three titles proves.
But they will need the fan support from the French crowd to lift them past the Serbs - if the top two seeds meet in the knockouts.
Ub (SRB) aren't the only legendary Serbs in the draw, with Liman (SRB) enjoying another excellent season having won the WT Ulaanbaatar. They have a great chance to add another title, bringing a highly talented squad to Bordeaux with Nemanja Zigon a flame-thrower from deep.
Given their semi-final run in Lausanne, we just have to rate Lugano (SUI) among the contenders after wizard Malik Hluchoweckyj put on a show. The Field
It's strange not putting Riffa (BRN) among the contenders given they've been a powerhouse in recent seasons and are former champs on the WT. But it's been a rotten season for them having not made it past the quarters in their last seven events, including a Day One exit in Lausanne.
They'll need Dennis Donkor to be a two-way menace, with Riffa facing a tough early test against London (USA), who are the dynamic new kids on the block. If you want dark horses then look no further than Kandava Turiba (LTU) and Haarlem (NED), with these Dutchmen boasting legendary sharpshooter Julian Jaring.
They'll have to do it the long way, but don't discount emerging Spanish teams Barcelona (ESP) and Valencia (ESP) making a deep run as they ride the momentum building for this sleeping giant of a hoops power that has awoken on the half-court.
Pools Pool A: Ub (SRB), Bordeaux (FRA), Haarlem (NED) Pool B: Toulouse (FRA), Lugano (SUI), Plunge (LTU) Pool C: Liman (SRB), Kandava Turiba (LAT), QD Pool D: Riffa (BRN), London (USA), QD What's at stake The top 3 teams in Bordeaux will qualify for the WT Shenzhen on October 4-5 as part of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2025. How to watch The two-day extravaganza is on August 22-23 and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube pages.
FIBA