17 Oct 2019
DOHA (Qatar) – Russia men's and France women's teams stole the show and won gold at the Association of National Olympic Committees World Beach Games on October 13-16, 2019.
It continued their dominance having won golds at the inaugural edition of the World Urban Games last month.
In the men's bracket, No.1 seeds Russia won a thrilling final over Brazil 21-19 to capture the gold medal. The World Urban Games MVP Dmitrii Cheburkin starred all tournament for the victors and continued his hot form in the final as Russia avenged a loss earlier in the tournament to Brazil.
“We had qualified from Sunday, but we wanted to stay unbeaten. It took hard work on the court to beat a really good team like Russia. We came here to win the tournament! We want to be the champions". L. De Souza Branquinho (BRA) after the 3x3 Basketball match. #AWBG2019 pic.twitter.com/PRumJluvVA
— ANOC World Beach Games (@AWBG2019) October 15, 2019
No.8 seeds Brazil were the surprise packets and memorably edged past Ukraine 14-13 in a semi-final heart-stopper. Mongolia bounced back from a semi-final thrashing at the hands of Russia - led by Cheburkin's 10 points - to beat Ukraine 20-16 and win bronze.
Final Standings Men
1. Russia
2. Brazil
3. Mongolia
4. Ukraine
5. China
6. Argentina
7. Cote d'Ivoire
8. Slovenia
9. Qatar
10. Jordan
11. Dominican Republic
12. Latvia
13. Venezuela
14. Namibia
15. Togo
16. Uganda
In the women's, France were made to work against a gritty Netherlands outfit in the final. It appeared the decider was heading down the wire with scores locked at 8 apiece but France pulled away to claim victory 15-9.
It capped a dominant campaign for No.5 seeds France who won all six games and were never seriously challenged. After a heartbreaking 16-15 semi-final defeat to the Netherlands, China rebounded and claimed bronze after beating Brazil 17-13.
No.11 seeds Brazil had caused a major upset in the quarter-finals having knocked out mighty USA 14-12. It was a disappointing result for the talented Americans who featured WNBA Rookie of the Year Napheesa Collier, No.1 WNBA draft pick Jackie Young and high school sensation Paige Bueckers.
Final Standings Women
1. France
2. Netherlands
3. China
4. Brazil
5. United States
6. Mali
7. Uganda
8. Russia
9. Ukraine
10. Indonesia
11. Jordan
12. Madagascar
13. Argentina
14. Mongolia
15. Dominican Republic
16. Togo
The inaugural ANOC World Beach Games featured more than 1200 athletes from 97 nations over six days of multi-sports competition.
FIBA
