ORLEANS (France) - Powerhouse Spain made it two titles from two stops as the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2025 resumed in thrilling fashion in Orleans on July 9-10.
Here's what happened at the seventh stop of the season.
The winner: Spain
Spain endured heartbreak at the World Cup, but rebounded strongly to become just the second team this season after No.1 Netherlands to win multiple titles on the Women's Series.
A title run looked unlikely at the get go when Spain were in the fight of the lives against Portugal before inspirational Sandra Ygueravide stepped up with the buzzer beater.
Spain had to tap into their famed resolve throughout the entire tournament as they completed a perfect Day One by edging Puerto Rico. Young guns Latvia, title winners this season, presented a major challenge in the quarter-finals and a titanic tussle played out with superstar Vega Gimeno proving the difference with 12 points and 5 rebounds.
It set up a semi-final blockbuster against all-conquering Netherlands, still basking in their World Cup glory. A tense game ensued, but Spain capitalized on the absence of top-ranked Nortje Driessen before defying the French fans to beat hometown heroes Orleans (FRA) in the final.
The runner-up: Orleans (FRA)
It's been a quiet season so far for French women's 3x3, but Orleans (FRA) might have provided the spark after a stirring run that almost yielded a memorable title on home soil.
Orleans had made the quarters in Marseille, but they were even better here in a barnstorming campaign that started with an upset over top seed Netherlands.
It was a major confidence boost for the Frenchwomen, who stormed past their next three opponents including a 22-7 whipping of Olympic gold medalist Germany in the semis.
They had the home fans in the palm of their hands, but Orleans could not quite go all the way. By the end of it all, the French found a new hero after Camille Droguet put up big numbers to underline her precocious talent.
The Final: Spain 17-Orleans 15
There was excitement over the match-up between veteran Spain and upstart Orleans riding a tidal wave of support. Orleans were underdog, but confident having beaten the Olympic silver medalist in Marseille.
Droguet showed no nerves with a couple of tough buckets as Orleans skipped out to an early lead. Spain had to dig deep amid a febrile atmosphere and they hit the front for the first time when Gimeno nailed a two-piece.
The teams continued to trade blows before the scoring dried up during the final tense exchanges. Drouget capped a scintillating tournament with a gorgeous move down low to get Orleans within two, but Spain's defense held firm down the stretch as they celebrated another triumph.
Final Standings: 1. Spain 2. Orleans (FRA) 3. Germany 4. Netherlands 5. Portugal Next Stop: The W Series will journey to Bucharest (July 11-13) and then Jakarta on July 24-25.
FIBA