2 Jun 2022
Novi Sad (SERBIA) - Seven out of the best 10 teams in the World will be in Novi Sad this Friday and Saturday to compete for 2 spots in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Lausanne Masters.
After claiming back-to-back World Tour wins in Utsunomiya and Manila, the number 1 team in the World Ub Huishan NE (SRB) will play in front of their fans in an absolutely loaded Novi Sad Ultra Challenger, with 2 tickets to the Lausanne Masters on the line.
Pools
A: Ub Huishan NE (SRB) , Vilnius (LTU), QD B winners
B: Liman Huishan NE (SRB), Princeton (USA), Chicago (USA)
C: Antwerp (BEL), Sakiai (LTU), QD A winners
D: Riga (LAT), Amsterdam (NED), Aachen Der Stamm (GER)
QD A: Warsaw Lotto (POL), Bielefeld TSVE (GER), Ljubljana (SLO)
QD B: Vienna (AUT), Pirot (SRB), Wuxi Huishan NE (CHN)
View this post on Instagram
The favorites
With 7 out of the best 10 teams in the World, picking a favorite sounds almost impossible but, who is able to stop Ub Huishan NE? The Serbian squad has won both the Utsunomiya Opener and the Manila Masters and they will play in front of their fans. Also, Liman Huishan NE arrive in a good rhythm after reaching the Final in Manila.
Don't sleep on Antwerp, Riga, Princeton, Amsterdam or even Warsaw Lotto, who could make it all the way from the Qualifying Draw to the final stages.
Also, Stefan Stojacic aka "Mr.Robot" will make his Vienna debut in the QD B. Can his expertise help the young Austrians to finally get their first 3x3 title?
The field
Qualifying for the Lausanne Masters is the ultimate goal, so teams will have to fight harder than usual in Novi Sad.
With Ub as favorites in Pool A, Pool B opens a bigger question mark as Liman and Princeton will play newcomers Chicago, who bring 2 familiar faces for all 3x3 fans, with Craig Moore and Zahir Carrington, former Princeton players.
In Pool C, Antwerp will need to bounce back after a disappointing performance in Manila, especially with Sakiai, who won the Ulaanbaatar Challenger 2 weeks ago and have fresh legs after not playing in the Philippines and they could also receive Warsaw Lotto from the QD.
Last, but not least, our eyes will be also in Pool D, with powerhouses Riga and Amsterdam battling it out, but don't sleep on Aachen Der Stamm, who bring back Lausanne's 2021 Most Spectacular Player Kostja Mushidi.
View this post on Instagram
The field is so loaded that there could well be an outsider who catches fire.
What's at stake
The top 2 teams - except if Ub reaches the final - in Novi Sad will qualify for the Lausanne Masters, August 19-20, 2022, as part of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2022.
How to watch
You can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube and Facebook pages.
FIBA
