Clinical France shine at home in FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Marseille Stop 2023
Marseille (France) - France picked up their second FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series 2023 stop victory in Marseille, defeating Poland 11 - 21 to capture the finals win on June 29 -30.
Here’s what went down on the eighth stop of the series.
The Winners: France
Coming into Marseille as the top seed, there was no doubt that France would be the pick of the people to emerge victorious. They started off with a comfortable 21 - 9 victory against Azerbaijan with Myriam Djekoundade and Hortense Limouzin combining for 16 points. They were in for a rude awakening in their next tie against Poland, who never let the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023 Silver medalists catch fire, beating France 12 - 13. Anna Pawłowska was the star of the game with a 6-point display.
The loss sent France to the play-in, one that was touted to be the potential finals between the top two seeds who now found themselves battling to be in the semi-finals - France and Spain. Marta Canella and talisman Sandra Ygueravide scored 13 points in tandem in a losing effort as Les Bleues picked up a 20 - 17 victory.
They went up against Portugal next who brought the style and fiesta to Marseille. They captured the 3x3 world in their opener when they beat Spain and then followed it up with a victory against Austria.
They brought the defensive grit and off-ball poetry, but it wasn’t enough. Djekoundade was a monster on the defensive side along with creating second chance opportunities with her 11 rebounds in the game. It was tied up with 15 seconds to go, and that’s not somewhere you wanna be against one of the most clutch sides in 3x3. Limouzin dusted past everyone to finish a tough lay to ice the game in favor of the French.
Runners-up: Poland
The Poles were unstoppable throughout the two-day event. One game, it might be Anna Pawłowska’s drives to the paint, another it would be Klaudia Sosnowska tearing her opponents apart with her paint work. Poland ran past their opposition in group play.
They faced Austria in the Semi-finals, an intense battle from the jump. The Austrians fought tooth and nail as they do, tying the game up at 19 points apiece. Ultimately, it was Klaudia Sosnowska who called bank and game with a clutch two to book a spot in the finals.
The Finals
Poland 11 - 21 France
A rematch of the group game from day 1, one where Poland shocked the favorites in Marseille. Everyone wondered if Poland would repeat their heroics or will France answer back and flaunt their winning mentality.
Well, France answered back.
Marie Mane and Djekoundade stopped the Poles from getting any momentum going. Whenever they they tried to go on a scoring run, Marie-Eve Paget and Limouzin shut things down quick. Speaking of Limouzin, she was the heart of the French offense all tournament, but never had it been more evident. She put up 11 points including the winning bucket to take France to their second Women’s Series win of the season.
MVP - Myriam Djekoundade
If the World Cup 2023 in Vienna didn’t let you know, Djekoundade gave you another example of why she’s the stone-cold heart of France. Not only does the French offense run through her, she made some huge, timely buckets. Her defensive prowess however, made her the most crucial cog for France in Marseille, racking up 7 blocks during the event.
Final standings
- France
- Poland
- Austria
- Portugal
- Spain
- Azerbaijan
- France U24
- Malaysia
The Women’s Series makes its way to Israel next with Netanya being the next stop. Tune in for the action on July 2 - 3.