2018 3x3 World Cup: Day Five Full Recap
It just got real - there was no room for error anymore, and no chance for redemption following a loss, as the eight teams in both men's and women's tournaments began the battle for the 3x3 World Cup title. Even with that pressure, there was still some great basketball and unforgettable moments across the final day of play.
Women's Tournament
As the quarter final stage opened, unselfish play and intuitive work from close range saw Russia breeze past the Czech Republic, while Spain vs France was a different matter, with no more than three points between the teams. A shot outside the arc from Paula Palomares tied the scores with just over twenty seconds left, but just as time expired Johanna Tayeau got the game-winning shot off for France.
This was followed by another close match-up, this time between China and Hungary. China’s composed free-throw shooting proved to be the deciding factor in their somewhat unassuming three-point win, while having dominated their pool, the USA then found themselves dominated by Italy. Nothing they could do could shake Italy’s hold on the game, and they were consigned to the backseat as Italy were at full-throttle throughout this quarter-final, which they won 17-14.
In the first semi-final, France went four points clear or Russia behind Marie-Eve Paget's shooting efforts, but sticking to their game plan and playing well on the inside, Russia closed the gap and frustrated the French. Overtime was needed here, and both teams went in search of the elusive game-winner, which would eventually come from Anastasia Logunova from the line after being fouled by Paget. Making both free-throws, she got Russia the points they needed to put them through to the final.
After a scrappy start to the remaining semi final, China thought they had the advantage after a two from Yingyun Li put them up by three. Italy had other plans, though: Giulia Ciavarella made it a one-point game with a minute to go, then thirty seconds later a jumper from Rae Lin D’Alie sent the game to overtime. During which she missed a layup attempt, but caught the rebound and handed it off to Marcella Filippi who drained it from long-range, winning the game for Italy and booking their place in the final.
With France taking home bronze after a 21-14 win over China in the third place game, there was only one more thing to decide: would Italy or Russia be taking home gold? From the start of the final, Italy were on fire from long range - twos from D’Alie and Filippi put Italy ahead by four after Russia took the lead just before the six-minute mark. Despite that minor setback, it was Italy all the way in the final, as Russia couldn’t match their pace. Playing well throughout, and being the best team where it mattered, Italy deservedly won their first 3x3 World Cup title.
Men's Tournament
In the first men's quarter final, Mongolia held on for as long as they could against Serbia, but the Serbians' physicality, strength and creating scoring chances saw them advance to the semi finals at Mongolia's expense, 21-8, while plenty of good looks from Michael Hicks and Szymon Rudch saw Poland completely dominate what has been a very sturdy Latvian side.
There was nothing to choose between Slovenia and Ukraine- in their quarter final, both played tough defence and had great looks at basket. Slovenia’s drawing fouls would be the difference - the free throws made being what would send them through to the semi finals. The match-up between Canada and Netherlands went back and forth, with the lead constantly changing hands. The Netherlands took a big lead from two decisive baskets from Dimeo Van Der Horst in the last minute of regulation, and with the team playing hard defence and Canada feeling the pressure, it would be those two points that would decide the final outcome. Netherlands would live to fight another day, while the Canadian World Cup fairytale came to an end.
After going down by six to Poland after four minutes in the first semi-final, Serbia's talisman Dusan Bulut helped to close the gap down the stretch, but Poland were still able to find scoring chances. With the scores tied, Dejan Majstorovic got a two-point shot off at the ninety-second mark which brought Serbia up to 21, ending the game and putting them through to the final - a stage they have never failed to make.
Slovenia looked the more dangerous team early on in their semi final, but the opposing Netherlands handled the pressure well and forced Slovenia into making mistakes. They took a three-point lead as the game stared to wind down, and some final easy looks past some slack Slovenian defending made the Netherlands’ place in the final official.
Slovenia's compensation would be third place, after winning the deciding game against Poland, after which came the final. It was the third time in a row the final would be contested between the Netherlands and Serbia, a rivalry very much reflected in play - it was a highly competitive final with everyone on the floor doing absolutely everything to get the win.
Sjoerd Van Vilsteren was the first player to split the difference between the teams, putting the Netherlands up by two with half the time elapsed. Serbia went on to tie the scores and a late two from Stefan Stojacic was followed by an and-one layup from Marko Savic, putting them up by four with over a minute left. Smart play to keep the ball away from Netherlands put the result beyond doubt, and Dusan Bulut made the final basket of the tournament, capping off Serbia's third straight World Cup victory and fourth in total.
The 2018 3x3 World Cup was thrilling at the start, and was thrilling to the end, where two teams on both sides of the competition walked away worthy winners. The tournament will be back next year in the Netherlands, while more on all this year's competition and other 3x3 news can be found on the tournament's official website.
