Spain continue winning ways at FIBA 3x3 W Series Baku stop 2024

Baku (AZERBAIJAN) - Spain reveled in red-hot form as they pulled off a thrilling 18 - 16 victory against the Netherlands in the final to win the FIBA 3x3 Baku stop 2024 on August 17 - 18. 

The winner: Spain

An Olympic silver in Paris and a fourth stop win in the Women’s series, Spain have had a remarkable 2024 season and they showcased just that in Azerbaijan.

They started off with a 20 - 14 victory against Spanish side Logrono Central. Alba Prieto led her side in scoring with 9 as their activity on rebounding proved to be pivotal. 

It was a grind-out 16 - 7 victory against Gyor where Cecilia Muhate and Gracia Alonso put up 6 each. The two wins booked Spain their place in the knockout stages. 

A 15 - 10 win against Austria followed thanks to the 7-point, 8-rebound effort from Muhate. They took down Düsseldorf ZOOS in the semis with a tandem effort leading them to another finals appearance. 

The runner-up: Netherlands 

The Dutch have had an impressive run in the competition so far and they made yet another deep run in Baku.

It was a tough start as they suffered a 20 - 17 loss to China U24 side. They bounced back with an OT 11 - 9 win over Portugal. Janis Ndiba put up 6 points, 2 of them being the clutch bucket in OT.  

They picked up a comfortable 21 - 12 win against Ukraine in the Quarter-final. Kiki Fleuren and Noortje Driessen each got 7 points to lead their team to a semi-final game. They took on an on-fire Logrono Central, and came away with a 19 - 12 victory. A monster effort from Ndiba once again who got a 7-point, 7-rebound game to lead her side to victory. 

They booked themselves a matchup against Spain in the final. 

The final

Spain 18 - 16 Netherlands

A blockbuster final unfolded as two of the elite teams in the circuit went head to head. 

While both teams traded buckets to start, it was the Spanish side who assumed early control. Muhate and Alonso kept them ahead while Fleuren and Ndiba battled to stay in the game. 

With scores tied at 6-6, Ndiba took over for the Dutch. She scored 5 straight points to hand them an 11 - 8 lead. Driessen and Fleuren added to the momentum swing before Ndiba added two more to her tally. Just like that, the Spaniards found themselves down by 4 with just over a minute to go. 

The game was far from over though, Muhate picked up a bucket before Juana Camilion went off. She scored a tough lay before delivering a clutch two to take things to OT at 16 apiece. The Spanish side did not look back as Prieto drove to the bucket for a point before Alonso got the offensive board in the next play and scored the game winner as Spain came away with a thrilling 18 - 16 victory.

Standings 

Spain

Netherlands

Düsseldorf ZOOS (GER)

Logrono Central (ESP)

Italy

Austria

China U24

Ukraine

Portugal

Poland

Gyor

Azerbaijan 

Maebashi Flowlish EXE (JPN)

Philippines 

Ireland 

What’s next

The final stop before the W series Hangzhou final goes down in Debrecen on August 24 - 25.