4 Jun 2021
DEBRECEN (Hungary) - Belgium and hosts Hungary dominated the opening day of competition at the FIBA 3x3 Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament, in Debrecen, Hungary, on June 4, 2021.
The Teams
Belgium (Men)
They weren't messing on opening day. Belgium finished their pool play undefeated, including a prestige win over Slovenia (20-18) and advanced directly to the semi-finals, just 2 wins away from an Olympic qualification.
Slovenia finished 2nd and Ukraine 3rd. They will meet the teams ranked 3rd and 2nd in the other pool respectively in the "quarter-finals" on Sunday.
Hungary (Women)
Hosts Hungary didn't disappoint the large (vaccinated) crowd and took an early win over Netherlands (14-12) and closed pool play with another victory over Estonia (13-10) to top Women's Pool B and progress directly to the semi-finals.
The Netherlands avenged their loss in Graz versus Estonia and finished 2nd in the pool. They will meet the team ranked 3rd in their pool while Estonia will face the number 2 team in Pool A.
Hungary 🇭🇺 & 🇧🇪 Belgium 🔝 their pools after Day 1 at Universality #3x3OQT pic.twitter.com/CTbrgHGHUX
— FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) June 4, 2021
The Shot
We've seen her sisters do that the last few years and Ilse proved the clutch gene runs in the Kuijt family. Splash. The Orange Lions were not gonna be tamed by Estonia this time.
Ilse Kuijt delivering the @TISSOT buzzer beater like she plays 2k! 🕹#3x3OQT | @3x3NL pic.twitter.com/LdmWdlGZIO
— FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) June 4, 2021
Day 2 (Saturday, June 5)
Men's Pool B (Hungary, Mongolia, and Romania) and Women's Pool A (Iran, Chinese Taipei and Italy) kick in tomorrow. Who will get the direct tickets to the semi-finals?