Germany dominate, Japan stay flying on on on Day 4 of FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2023

DEBRECEN (Hungary) - Germany (Men) get the job done while Japan (Women) ride high and punch their ticket to the Quarter-Finals on Day 4 of the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2023 on September 2. 

THE TEAMS

Top-seeded Germany (Men) came out swinging on Opening Day as they took care of business against Qatar and Tunisia. The headline coming from the Germans was undoubtedly Fabian Giessmann who scored 12 points in both games, while dazzling with his high-octane offense. 

Well, Day 2 continued the dozens theory for Giessmann. After winning outright against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, they went up against Mongolia to close out Group Play. The unstoppable Giessmann put up another 12-point display, menacing the opposition as they tried desperately to contain him. Feneberg added to the scoring with 8 points as Germany won 9-22 and went unbeaten in Group Play. 

Qatar (Men) went perfect on Day 2, defeating Tunisia 21-15 off the back of an 11-point game from Hamad Mousa before winning outright against Congo as well to book themselves a spot in the knockout Stages. 

Egypt (Men) fought through adversity to book their place in the Quarter-Finals as well, as they lost Fouad Ismail to injury late in their game against Hungary. They managed to pull away with the victory in the game thanks to a 12-point effort from Mohammed Khairy. They would suffer a close defeat to France in the next game as they would play with just 3 men, but their showing in Pool Play would earn them a spot through to the next round. 

On the Women’s side, Japan continue their dominant Pool Play run, starting off with an academic 21-12 victory against Lithuania. Kokone Ueno and Kyoka Sasaki combined for 13 points in the result. They would take on the contending Spai next and the same result would follow suit, a 9-15 victory as the team would play some incredibly agile defense. Maho Mitsugi put up 7 points as they would mark their spot in the Quarter-Finals against Latvia after going 4-4. 

Latvia (Women) knew nothing short of a perfect Day 2 would suffice after they suffered a loss to Egypt on Opening Day. They first defeated Tunisia off the back of a 7-point game from Annija Brence before gritting through an absolute battle against Chile. Brence and Amanda Baumgarte would score 5 each while Elina Briede would go off for 8 as they would hold on to a slim lead throughout the game before running through near the end. 

THE PLAYERS

Germany’s (Men) Fabian Giessmann has been the star of the show, three 12-point games in a row is one thing, being a strong presence on the defensive side as well makes him the scariest prospects heading into the knockout stages. Doesn’t hurt to catch a few posters on the way to winning as well. 

Japan’s (Women) Konoha Yamamiya is slowly becoming the popular name in 3x3, especially after her display in Pool Play. She leads her side in points with 22 tied with Kokone Ueno and has been electric, getting fans in Debrecen off their feet whenever she takes to the court. Japan have looked like serious contenders and for their goals to be reality, they will need Yamamiya to keep getting buckets and dimes. 

Day 6

It all goes down tomorrow, the knockout stages commence tomorrow as we find out which teams stand tall at the end with Gold, tune in tomorrow for an intense day of 3x3 action!