China set to continue winning ways at FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Netanya stop
NETANYA (Israel) - Dominant frontrunners China will be looking to extend their reign in the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series 2023 Netanya stop on July 2 - 3.
Let’s dive into the ninth stop of this season.
The Favorites
Top-seeded China are back in full force with the return of Lili Wang and ZhiTing Zhang to the squad along with FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023 teammate Ji Yuan Wan. The trio will be joined by rising star Kun Huang. Every other team competing tomorrow, you have been put on notice
The women started off hot and have never looked back, winning back-to-back legs of the event. A new-look side led by Mingling Chen led them to a third stop win in Baoding. Their last appearance in the competition though, ended in a narrow loss to Canada in the finals in Poitiers. However, with the duo of Wang and Zhang returning to the fold, they’ll have a target on their back as they instantly become the team to beat.
They face Sc. Yuanda, Czech Republic and Israel in group A.
In group B, it is impossible to call the favorite, but it is Netherlands that head into Netanya as the second seed.
They will be without star Zoë Slagter as well as Natalie Van Del Adel who were a part of the runners-up side in Shusha. They will be replaced by Janis Boonstra and Noortje Driessen.
Kiki Fleuren and Julia Jorritsma will headline the Dutch squad, having shown their firepower over the legs they have been a part of.
They will have to get through Lithuania, Gyor and Neftchi on the way to the finals.
The Field
China will have their work cut out for them as they face the most active team in the competition so far, Sc. Yuanda. The Chinese commercial side have come close to winning it all, even losing to aforementioned China in the Baoding finals. They have shown they’re capable of beating each other. Having won a game apiece against each other. Saiqi Jia and Sc. Yuanda will have their sights set on nothing short of a finals win this time around.
The Czech Republic haven’t had the most stellar start in the Women’s Series. This time however, they will be led by World Cup 2023 sensation Katerina Galickova. Her offensive prowess took them to the knockout stages in Vienna and if she has her say, group A is gonna be one to watch.
Group B is essentially the proverbial group of death. Lithuania were frighteningly impressive in Clermont-Ferrand. No team had an answer for Kamile Nacickaite and her offensive firepower, almost winning it all. They lost to France in OT, giving fans a glimpse of what they’re capable of.
Gyor was a team on fire in Poitiers. Though they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Canada, Klaudia Papp and her side were a highlight reel machine.
There’s also the matter of Neftchi, who became the first commercial side to win a stop at the Women’s Series in Shusha. Arica Carter is back, and she will be looking to add a second title to their name.
Pools
Pool A: China, Sc. Yuanda, Czech Republic and Israel
Pool B: Netherlands, Lithuania, Gyor, Neftchi
How to watch
The action gets underway in Netanya on July 2 - 3 and you can catch it all on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel and Facebook pages.