Can France triumph at home in stacked FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Bordeaux Stop 2023?
Bordeaux (France) - In a loaded Women’s Series stop in Bordeaux full of previous winners, who will take home the crown on July 19 - 20?
Let’s break down what’s to come in the twelfth stop of this season.
The Contenders
The list is endless, but let’s start with France.
Guapo is back, as is the FIBA 3x3 Silver medal-winning four. Wherever the fantastic four from France go, success follows. Besides China, they have been the winningest side in this year’s edition of the Women’s Series, dominating in numerous French stops. With the home crowd on their side yet again, it will be hard to look past them.
Speaking of winning, tournament leaders China will have a word on the matter as they return full strength. Lili Wang will once again orchestrate one of the most stellar offenses in Women’s 3x3 along with Mingling Chen, Ji Yuan Wan and and the monster in the paint ZhiTing Zhang. They last won in Fribourg a couple Stops ago and will be looking to add another in their collection.
The list of winners keeps going with the reigning Women’s Series champions in Canada. Katherine Plouffe will make her return alongside Paige Crozon, Kacie Bosch and Jamie Scott. The side won in Poitiers and looked strong doing it. With Plouffe taking to the court, expect the Canadians to show up and show out.
There is Neftchi, the inevitably lethal commercial side that can rightfully be labeled as the Giant slayers of the Women’s Series. Boasting the same four that have taken care of business in Shusha and Netanya, they will always be the team to watch out for.
After winning in Orleans to make their mark, Spain will be looking to make it two. The duo of Sandra Ygueravide and Vega Gimeno has been unstoppable and will be joined by Gracia Alonso and Juana Camilion. Their resilience has been the difference maker, and they’ll need all they can muster in this edition of the competition.
And finally, the reigning Queens of 3x3 after winning gold in Vienna, the USA. The Cierra Burdick-led side won the most recent stop in Pristina where she showed off her floor general skills surrounded by offensive juggernauts in Camille Zimmerman and Breanna Richardson. With Alexis Peterson on their side as well, momentum is firmly on their side.
The Field
France U24 side will be taking to the court in Bordeaux as well. They’ve been a threat in the past, last making it to the Semi-finals in Clermont-Ferrand. This time, they will be joined by Eve Wembanyama, the 21-year old will cause problems for her opposition with her ability.
If you’re looking for dark horses, look no further than Poland and Latvia. Poland had a dream run in Marseille, making it all the way to the finals. But make no mistake, there was nothing to change in their skill. While they might be without offensive sensation Klaudia Sosnowska, they’ve shown just how dangerous they can be.
Latvia will be in the qualifying round in Bordeaux but their underdog style might just play into their favor. Led by Aleksa Gulbe, they’re full of precise playmaking and winning. They showcased just that in Fribourg as they made it all the way to the semi-finals before losing to Portugal. In a stacked event full of juggernauts, keep your eyes on the resourceful Latvians
Pools
Pool A: Canada, France U24, Hungary
Pool B: China, Düsseldorf ZOOS (GER), Gyor (HUN)
Pool C: France, Neftchi (AZE), Poland
Pool D: USA, Spain, Latvia/Austria/Turkey
How to watch
The action takes place in Bordeaux on July 19-20 and you can catch it all on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel and Facebook pages.