One reason why all 12 finalists have a chance to win the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2018

BEIJING (FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2018) – The fun and games are over. It’s time for the main prize in the Bloomage Final in Beijing. All 12 teams will be dreaming of championship glory and each of them has at least one reason to be confident of their chances.

Amsterdam Inoxdeals (NED)

Big man Jepser Jobse and little man Aron Roijé form a deadly two-man punch that is one of the best combinations in the business. Their pick and rolling rolling got us stargazing. As a typical Euro big, the Job also has a sweet lefty stroke to give Amsterdam’s offense more tricks.    

 

Delhi 3BL (IND)

The Indians are the lowest seed but Bikramjit Gill aka the Bearded King fears no one and can win games by himself through explosion to the rim mixed with deadly shooting. Oh and he already led his team to the title game of the World Tour Final 2 years ago in Abu Dhabi…

 

Gagarin (RUS)

The Russians are a tournament underdog seeded 10th but they have one of the most exciting young talents in the world - Alexander Zuev who can shoot from Vladivostok and could be the breakout player in Beijing. 

 

Humpolec Bernard (CZE)

Humpolec have beaten Novi Sad Al Wahda and Liman Tesla Voda this season…unfortunately not in the Masters but in Challengers. Still, it’s something to hang onto right? 

 

Liman Tesla Voda (SRB)

The Serbs should be highly confident as the number one seeds and are red hot having won the last two Masters in Chengdu and Penang and 10 consecutive games. And with their leader Stefan Stojacic aka Mr Robot in fine form (MVP both in Chengdu and Penang), they’re programmed to win in Beijing. 

 

Ljubljana (SLO)

The Slovenians were the only team not named Novi Sad Al Wahda and Liman Tesla Voda to win a Masters this season. It is true that the Serbian powerhouses weren’t in Mexico but Ljubljana clearly have what it takes to win championships (reminder: they won the World Tour twice), especially when they have ‘The Birdman’ Blaz Cresnar – the tallest player in the event –and Mr Ice Man himself: Jasmin Hercegovac. 

 

Novi Sad Al Wahda (SRB)

They have won 27 straight games this season – only the Harlem Globetrotters have looked more invincible on a basketball court. That good enough for you? OK –here’s another: Novi Sad have the number one player in the world. Ladies and gentlemen, Dusan Bulut aka Mr Bullutproof. 

 

Piran (SLO)

With a trio of veterans plus a dash of youth in Anze Srebovt, Piran have the right mix to take it to anybody on their day. Their teamwork and pretty passing can find more holes in a defense than in your childhood Halloween costume. 

 

Princeton (USA)

Princeton can pack a punch from downtown, particularly with snipers Craig Moore and Robbie Hummel in their lineup. The Americans have the firepower from deep to score quickly and can never be discounted in games. Last time a US team won a Masters was 2 years ago already and no US team has ever won the World Tour!!! And surely that drought is set to end soon, right? 

 

Riga Ghetto (LAT)

The Latvians have been so close on several occasions without winning a Masters this season. They have been ultra-consistent with top three finishes in Lausanne, Debrecen, Hyderabad and Chengdu.  And they have beaten Novi Sad Al Wahda on three occasions this year but all were in the Challengers. Can’t believe 3x3 is the only arena where Batman and Robin (Karlis Lamanis and Nauris Miezis) never win. 

 

Saskatoon (CAN)

The Canadians are another team that came so close, losing in the championship game back in 2014. The big difference compared to 4 years ago except people no longer dance to Nicki Minaj’s ‘Anaconda’ is the addition of sharpshooter Steve Sir, whom you can never leave open. Or else it’ll bite you like a Black Mamba. 

 

Zemun (SRB)

Remember last year when Bogdan Dragovic aka the Dragon slayed Novi Sad Al Wahda in that ridiculous final? It’s been a dark season for Zemun with countless injuries but don’t write off the Serbs when they enter the exact same court where they made history just 12 months ago. 

 

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Wilson sponsor logo (Bloomage Beijing Final 2018)
  • Tissot sponsor logo (Bloomage Beijing Final 2018)