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FIBA 3×3 Challenger Heads to Bordeaux with World’s Top Teams
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The FIBA 3×3 Challenger series arrives in Bordeaux, France, this weekend, bringing high-octane basketball action and a chance for teams to qualify for the prestigious Masters tournament in Shenzhen, china. The competition, beginning Friday, August 22, will feature some of the world’s best 3×3 players, with free entry for spectators.
Following a stage in Munich, the FIBA 3×3 Challenger in Bordeaux promises a thrilling spectacle for basketball fans. The event, ideally located on the quays of the Garonne, will showcase top international talent vying for a share of the €60,000 prize pool and a coveted ticket to the FIBA 3×3 Masters in Shenzhen, China, scheduled for October 4-5.
Global Powerhouses Converge on France
Four teams currently ranked within the world’s top 10 will be competing in Bordeaux. Leading the pack is UB (#1), the Serbian squad spearheaded by the exceptionally skilled Strahinja Stojacic. They will be joined by fellow Serbians Liman (#6), Riffa (#9) from Bahrain, and the French team Toulouse Stormers (#7).
However, all eyes will be on the home team, Bordeaux 3×3 (#18). A senior official stated that the local squad is anticipating a important boost from a passionate home crowd as they attempt to advance to the final phase on Saturday. The Bordeaux roster, featuring Alex Vialaret, Antoine Eito, Emmanuel Monceau, and Petar Sucur, faces a challenging start with a first-round matchup against the top-ranked UB. They will then compete against the Dutch team from Haarlem (#39) in a perhaps more favorable contest.
French Teams Battle for Qualification
Beyond Bordeaux 3×3 and Toulouse Stormers, two additional French teams – Ermont Senef (#26) and Lannion, featuring the brothers Masse and Bassa Doumbe – will participate. These teams will navigate a qualification pool that includes a highly anticipated “fratricidal duel” between Ermont Senef and Lannion, as they are placed in the same group.The Spanish team Valence (#27) completes the qualification bracket.
Tournament schedule and Key Matchups
The action kicks off on Friday, August 22, with qualification rounds beginning at 2:45 p.m.local time. Key matchups on Friday include:
- 15:10: Valence – Lannion
- 16:00: Ermont Senef – Lannion
- 16:50: Valence – Ermont Senef
- 19:05: Toulouse – Plunge
- 20:50: Toulouse – Lugano
- 21:15: UB – Bordeaux
- 23:00: Bordeaux – Haarlem
Saturday, August 23, will see the competition intensify with the quarterfinals starting at 6:25 p.m., followed by the semi-finals at 8:10 p.m.,and culminating in the final at 9:30 p.m.
The FIBA 3×3 Challenger de Bordeaux promises a weekend of exciting basketball, showcasing the skill and athleticism of some of the world’s top 3×3 players. The event represents a crucial stepping stone for teams aiming to compete at the highest level of the sport.
