The Netherlands come up clutch at FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Fribourg stop 2024

FRIBOURG (Switzerland) - Top-seeded Dutch grab first stop win of the season, defeating Germany 20-10 in the final at the FIBA 3x3 Fribourg stop 2024 on July 4 - 5. 

The winner: Netherlands

They have been knocking on the door for the past few W series appearances, but it finally came together for the Dutch side at Fribourg. It was a dominant start to the pool phase as they handled business against Ireland with a 12 - 6 victory. Janis Ndiba grabbed 10 crucial rebounds in the grinding result. It was another strong win to close out their pool games, 16 - 10 with Zoe Slagter leading the way with 6 points and 5 rebounds. 

They defeated Gyor in the Quarter-Final, a close 17 - 15 result. It was another committee effort with Noortje Driessen leading her side in scoring with 6. They took on a lethal Poland side in the Semis, but the same outcome followed. A 17 - 12 win with huge performances from Driessen who scored 11 while Ndiba grabbed 10 boards. The result earned the Dutch a spot in the final.  

The runner-up: Germany

The Germans came in heavy, starting off with a clinical 21 - 8 victory over Romania. Sonja Greinacher went off for 11 points in the result. They closed off pool play with a 17 - 15 win over Czechia, a close battle underlined by big games from Greinacher and Elisa Mevius who got 6 and 8 respectively.

The knockout stages were a true test for Germany as they had to fend off multiple Olympic-bound sides. They got an 18 - 12 victory against Spain in the Quarter-Final where Sunny G took over with an 11-point and 7 rebound outburst. 

The same result followed against the dominant team USA, 18 - 12 where Mevius and Greinacher combined for 15. 

The Germans had been tested and now were set to take on the Dutch in the final. 

The final

Netherlands 20 - 10 Germany

Carrying on from their momentum, the Dutch took off early and never looked back. 

The offense, led by Janis Ndiba to start off, clicked quick as their lead ballooned up to 6-1 in no time. Greinacher and Mevius fought to cut into the lead, all before buckets from Driessen and Slagter extended the lead for the Netherlands. 

Loyce Bettonvil picked up buckets as well over halfway into the game. Greinacher tried to cut into the lead but the Dutch wouldn’t be denied on this day. Slagter put up a bucket under the rim with mere seconds to go, sealing the victory for the Netherlands. 

Standings 

1. Netherlands

2. Germany

3. USA

4. Poland

5. Czechia 

6. Spain

7. Gyor

8. Israel

9. Romania

10. Fribourg 

11. Switzerland 

12. Ireland 

What’s next

The W Series is headed to Canada next with the Edmonton Women's Series going down on July 5 - 6.