China set on continuing dominance in FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Katowice Stop 2023
KATOWICE (Poland) - China will be eyeing their fifth stop win of the season to further their reign at the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Katowice Stop 2023 on August 14 - 15.
Here’s what to expect in the sixteenth edition of the series.
The Contenders
Look up winners in the dictionary, and you’ll find China. They have been an overwhelming force in the Women’s Series this season with few teams being able to contain their lethal efficiency and size. They will be rolling out the same team that picked up the win in Yichang, led by Lili Wang. They have the unstoppable paint duo of Mingling Chen and ZhiTing Zhang with Ji Yuan Wan being the glue player.
Competition will be steep in Poland though with the USA looking to add another feather to their cap. Cierra Burdick will be joined by her FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023 teammate Linnae Harper along with scoring juggernaut Camille Zimmerman and Caroline Littlefield.
The four hosewomen from Germany will run it back after falling short in their last couple runs. Sonja Greinacher has started to find her rhythm in the competition and with the usual four back on the court, they will pose a threat to any side they go up against.
Neftchi are the perennial contenders in the Series, being the only commercial side to have won multiple stops. The four of Arica Carter, Brianna Fraser, Alexandra Mollenhauer and Dina Ulyanova will once again take to the court in Poland. Their mix of gritty defense and fast-paced offense showcase how important chemistry and continuity is in the competition.
The Field
Previous winners Spain will take to the court as well, though without talisman Sandra Ygueravide. They are not to be overlooked with the deadly duo of Marta Canella and Vega Gimeno having been known to cause havoc on the court.
Italy will have their trio back, led by Raelin D’Alie. Chiara Consolini and Sara Madera have been a part of the 3x3 side that has been successful over various competitions this year. Laura Spreafico will take to the court as well as the skilful side will look to bring the heat in Poland.
Home side Poland with their tenacious defense and lethal offense are continually prepared to make deep runs in each stop and it will be no different this time around, especially with the crowd in their support. Klaudia Sosnowska and Aldona Morawiec along with Klaudia Gertchen and Weronika Telenga will be lighting up from deep and hold their opposition down in the paint as they have been doing over the season.
The Qualifying draw have talent capable of making it deep in the series, especially with the likes of Israel who have the scoring firepower of Drew Edelman.
Egypt perhaps has the strongest chance of shocking the odds. This will be their second appearance in the Women’s Series, last competing in Astara where they made it all the way to the final only to fall short to the Queens of 3x3 this season, China. Soraya Mohamed will dazzle the fans while Nadine Selaawy shoots lights out from deep.
Pools
Pool A: China, Gyor (HUN), Poland
Pool B: Neftchi (AZR), Lithuania, Italy
Pool C: Germany, Düsseldorf ZOOS (GER), Israel/Romania/Azerbaijan
Pool D: USA, Spain, Malaysia/Egypt/Ukraine
How to watch
The action takes place in Poland on August 14-15 and you can catch it all on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel and Facebook pages.