3x3 Women's Series in Bucharest - Knockout Stage Recap

For the eight teams who had made it to day two in the Romania capital, it was all to play for. The Women's Series Bucharest title was on the line for each of them and a loss now would mean the end of that road.

Canada rolled into the second day of competition undefeated and with one of the stronger records of the teams still in contention in Bucharest. Yet the field in the knockout stage was going to be a tough one to navigate for them and every team and they looked to go all the way in this latest stop of the 3x3 Women's Series.

Canada made short work of their quarter final opponents Dusseldorf, beginning with a 5-0 run and following up with a eight unanswered to lead 16-2 with a minute-and-a-half to go. The Plouffe twins Michelle and Katherine both finished off the scoring, each leading the pack with nine points apiece, while Michelle also pulled down eight rebounds, as they breezed into the final four with victory 21-5.

Their next opponents, France, came through a comfortable win against Latvia - though not as much as Canada's. Michelle had the first three points of the game, then had four more soon after and Canada were leading the French 9-2.

Katherine and Paige Crozon got in on the act and the team were now looking at a double-digit lead

With Hortense Limouzin only offering a meager response for France, Canada stayed in complete control in this semi-final. Katherine finished off the Canadian scoring with the last of her ten points on the game, to go with fourteen total rebounds for Canada, who ended the game winners 19-10.

They faced familiar foes in the final: after producing a big upset in the quarter-finals, defeating the USA, Italy went on to see off a similarly dominant Germany with a late turnaround to reach the final. Canada had played them the day before and it had been a close game, but would the Bucharest final be a repeat or would it follow suit from Canada's one-sided exploits in the knockout stage?

Canada put the first points on the board and the outside shooting of Crozon and Katherine Plouffe gave them a 7-1 lead. After both teams struggled to get the next shot to drop, Crozon ended the cold streak and was followed by the Plouffes who increased the Canadian lead to double digits.

Italy found some sporadic open looks but were not able to build any rhythm or momentum over the dominant Canadians. After Michelle put Canada within reaching distance of victory Italy made one last ditch attempt to save the game, but Crozon sealed with a dagger from beyond the arc.

It was the second Women's Series tournament in a row won by Canada and they did it in some style, especially on this second day where they dominated every team they encountered. With 8.8 points per game, Michelle Plouffe finished as the tournament's top scorer while Katherine was one of the top defensive players, averaging 7.4 total boards.

Canada will be looking to make it three-for-free in the next tournament, which will see them once again on home soil. Next weekend they will look to make it three in a row in Quebec City, which will be covered here as it happens, while more on the Bucharest tournament can be seen over on the official 3x3 Women's Series website.