Belgium and Spain among favorites at FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup Qualifiers

BRATISLAVA (Slovakia)/CONSTANTA (Romania) - The final spots for the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup 2023 will be up for grabs in Bratislava and Constanta on June 10-11. 

The two Qualifiers will see teams fight for their right to be part of the eighth edition of the continent's biggest event, which will be held in Israel's capital of Jerusalem on September 5-7. 

Let's preview all the action. 

Constanta 

The Favorites

In the men's, top seeds Belgium deserve to start as favorites but will be looking to rebound after a disappointing FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023, where they failed to make the knockout stage. 

They've got their familiar names, including walking bucket Thibaut Vervoort who is always 'Must See TV', young gun Caspar Augustijnen and defensive menace Dennis Donkor. 

 

The brilliant Belgians will be challenged with a formidable Germany also aiming to bounce back from a subpar World Cup and their hopes are high with Bastian Landgraf in hot form on the pro circuit. 

While Switzerland and Spain will show off their depth of talent as they eye making it through to Jerusalem. 

In the women's, former Europe Cup champs Spain loom as the team to beat and arrive on the back of a quarter-final run in Vienna.

They boast a star-studded team, including  walking bucket Marta Canella and legendary Sandra Ygueravide, who has long been the heart and soul of the steely Spaniards. 

 

No.2 seeds Romania led by sniper Teodora Manea and No.3 Italy Raelin D'Alie - a former World Cup MVP - should be strong contenders. 

The Field

There are plenty of teams hoping to upstage the favorites and in the men's Slovenia - an OG 3x3 nation - have a New Gen hoping to fly the flag proudly for their country. 

Italy will also feel confident of a strong run and there is a lot of excitement over 22-year-old Luca Conti, who is sure to be a crowd pleaser. 

 

In the women's, Switzerland and Ukraine have shown glimpses in recent years but will be out to make big statements.

While Serbia might just feel inspired by the continual Ws from their men's counterparts as the No.8 seeds look to create their own history. 

Constanta (Romania)

Men Pool A: Belgium, Estonia, Croatia
Men Pool B : Germany, Italy, Ukraine
Men Pool C: Switzerland, Romania, Denmark
Men Pool D: Spain, Slovenia

Women Pool A: Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, Serbia, Denmark
Women Pool B: Romania, Italy, Estonia, Slovenia, Croatia

Bratislava

The Favorites 

In the men's, No.1 seeds France will be hard to stop with big fella Lucas Dussoulier set to make the paint his personal playground. 

But No.2 seeds Austria may have claims to being the top contender as they bring back the same four players who reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup on home soil. 

Poland also made the quarters in Vienna and are itching to get back into the Europe Cup, where they claimed bronze in 2021 after Przemyslaw Zamojski turned into a flame-thrower. 

If Zamojski heats up Bratislava then Poland will likely be booking a ticket to Jerusalem. 

 

The women's draw is loaded with Poland having top billing as deadly duo Aldona Morawiec and Klaudia Sosnowska aim to shrug off a disappointing winless World Cup for the Poles. 

Austria deserve to be rated among the contenders having enjoyed the home comforts to reach the quarters at the World Cup. Sigrid Koizar was in eye-catching form in Vienna and will arrive in Bratislava with plenty of swagger. 

Hungary and the Czech Republic, who made the play-in for the World Cup, have been consistent performers over the years and also loom as genuine threats for the coveted tickets. 

The Field

The men's draw is deep with several teams capable of upsetting the top seeds. Hungary is a prime candidate led by  high-flyer Attila Demeter, who can spark his team with a game-changing dunk. 

Strong hoops nation Greece will be looking to make a statement on the half-court, while Slovakia should enjoy the comforts of the home surroundings. 

In the women's, hosts Slovakia will be banking on the support of the home crowd to fuel them to a giant-killing run while Portugal might just be a dark-horse with Joana Soeiro capable of winning games almost single-handedly. 

Bratislava (Slovakia)

Men Pool A: France, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina 
Men Pool B : Austria, Hungry, Republic of North Macedonia 
Men Pool C: Poland, Slovakia, Portugal 
Men Pool D: Czech Republic, Greece, Georgia 

Women Pool A: Poland, Austria, Greece, Slovakia, Portugal 
Women Pool B: Hungary, Czech Republic, Latvia, Turkey, Georgia

What's at stake in Constanta and Bratislava 

In the men's, the winners of the semi-finals will qualify to the Europe Cup. The two semi-finals losers will play one additional game and the winners of that game will also qualify.

In the women's, the pool winners will qualify to the Europe Cup. The second-placed teams of each pool will play one more game with the winner to make it through. 

A third qualifier will be played in Limassol, Cyprus, on June 17-18 to determine the final spots. 

How to watch

You can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube and Facebook pages.

FIBA