France and USA lead list of favorites at the FIBA 3x3 Pristina stop 2023

PRISTINA (Kosovo) - A rematch of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023 might be on the cards, but the Pristina stop of the Women’s Series is far from straightforward. 

Let’s dive into the eleventh stop of this season taking place on July 14 -15.

The Favorites

With a potential match between France and USA looming, it’s only fair to deem them as the favorites going into the two-day frenzy.

Though sporting a different side, the French will continue to pose a threat to their competition. A young and fiery side will look to establish themselves as one of the strongest nations in this year’s edition of the Women’s Series led by Noémie Brochant, Anna Ngo Ndjok. Coline Franchelin will make her debut for this season while Jodie Cornélie will be the veteran presence. Three of the four have competed in various stops and have yet to win a stop themselves. They will be looking to band together and continue on the successes of the World Cup silver medalists.

 

They will take on Hungary and Israel in Group A. 

USA will see the return of two-time World Cup gold medalist Cierra Burdick whose presence on both ends of the court has steered USA to victory numerous times. Camille Zimmerman will return as well along with her paint presence that paid dividends for the team in Orleans. Blake Dietrick and Caroline Shaughnessy Littlefield will round out the side that would contend for the stop win in Kosovo. 

Gyor and Azerbaijan will stand in their way in Group B.

There is one team that will look to disrupt, as they have numerous times. It will be the unrelenting Neftchi. Bringing back the same core that has taken them to two stop wins, it would hardly surprise anyone if they utilized their experience in the year’s competition to steamroll past their opposition and win it all.  

 

They will contend with the Netherlands and home side Kosovo in Group D.

The Field

Lithuania have come close to tasting victory, losing closely to France at the Clermont-Ferrand stop a few weeks ago. They will be without star scorer Kamile Nacickaite but will be led by veteran Gabriele Sulske whose grittiness on both ends of the court has been a huge factor for the side.

They will compete against Düsseldorf ZOOS and one of Ukraine, Turkey or Latvia.

 

The Netherlands will come out swinging this time around with star Natalie van den Adel leading the charge. Janis Boonstra and Julia Jorritsma are known for their offensive roles on the team while Loyce Bettonvil will be making her debut in this year's competition. They’ve proven to be threats, finishing second in Shusha as they lost to Neftchi in the finals, a team they share their group with. 

Looking at wild cards, Gyor have shown they are the real deal. The duo of Klaudia Papp and Vivi Borondy have been a handful for defenses, and that will continue to be the case in Pristina. 

Pools

Pool A: France, Hungary, Israel

Pool B: USA, Gyor (HUN), Azerbaijan

Pool C: Lithuania, Düsseldorf ZOOS, Ukraine/Latvia/Turkey

Pool D: Netherlands, Neftchi (AZE), Kosovo

How to watch

The action takes place in Pristina on July 14-15 and you can catch it all on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel and Facebook pages.