Partizan and Washington DC to renew battle at FIBA 3x3 Poitiers Challenger

POITIERS (France) - After recently contesting a thriller, in-form Partizan (SRB) and high-flyers Washington DC (USA) will meet again at a loaded FIBA 3x3 Poitiers Challenger on June 30-July 1. 

There will be 16 teams dreaming of glory while fighting for the prized three tickets available for the Constanta Masters, which is the ninth stop on this year's FIBA 3x3 World Tour.

Let's preview the action.

The Favorites

We'll start with Partizan (SRB), who made a statement with a memorable triumph at the FIBA 3x3 Orleans Challenger. 

They had a breakout performance from 26-year-old Stefan Torbica, who went home with the MVP and he's out to prove that he's the real deal. 

Partizan's title run started with an opening W over Washington (DC) in a crazy contest and the teams will square off again in a Pool B blockbuster. 

 

Washington DC were knocked out in a tense quarter-final by Fribourg (SUI) but it was an eye-catching season debut for these entertaining Americans, especially from former NBA player Charlie Brown Jr who attacked the rim with authority. 

It's probably taken us too long to get to No.1 seeds Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU), but these dudes are used to the disrespect.

The lethal Lithuanians are perhaps the most underrated team on the pro circuit though real ones will know Modestas Kumpys is a bad man when he takes flight. 

We have more contenders with Futian (CHN) proving worthy of the hype after recruiting superstars Dimeo van der Horst and Thibaut Vervoort.

 

But they've frustratingly finished runners-up three times this season as Futian eyes a drought-breaking title. 

Last but certainly not least is Liman Huishan NE (SRB), who have won a title this season, but will be aiming to bounce back after a quarter-final defeat to Partizan in Orleans.

With sniper Stefan Kojic leading most of the major stats on the pro circuit, Liman are always a threat to go all the way. 

The Field 

Talk about disrespect, Princeton (USA) should feel angry being lumped here after producing one of their best ever triumphs when they claimed the Baoding Challenger without a sub. 

They'll have a mostly different team in Poitiers, but Henry Caruso returns after one of the most dazzling debuts seen in 3x3 after topping player value (47.3) and grabbing a whopping 45 rebounds in Baoding. 

Fellow Americans Omaha 3BALL (USA) will also believe they can be a serious threat as they unveil a mostly new line-up with mainstay Mitch Hahn looming as the glue guy. 

We just have to mention Toronto KBA and Ashdod (ISR), who have some of the most dynamic dudes on the circuit in Bikramjit Gill and Shoham Gat respectively. 

 

The winner of Toronto and Ashdod in Pool A could well determine which one of these dark horses emerges from Day One. 

Pools

Pool A: Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU), Toronto KBA (CAN), Ashdod (ISR)
Pool B: Partizan (SRB), Washington DC (USA), Hangzhou (CHN)
Pool C: Futian (CHN), Omaha 3BALL (USA), Qualifier 
Pool D: Liman Huishan NE (SRB), Princeton, Qualifier 

What's at stake

The top 3 teams in Poitiers will qualify for the Constanta Masters on September 9-10, 2023, as part of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour.

How to watch

The two-day extravaganza is on June 30-July 1 and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube and Facebook pages.

FIBA