Spain and the Netherlands shine on Day 2 of FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup 2024

Vienna (AUSTRIA) – Spain (Men) and the Netherlands (Women) clean house as they go 2-0 on day 2 of FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup on August 23.

TEAMS

Spain (men)

Spain’s men had huge steps to follow after the women dominated day 1, and they did so in style. 

They took on the high-flying Germans in their opener where they came away as 21 – 18 victors. Diego De Blas was unstoppable, putting up 12 points in the result. 

They faced reigning Gold Medalists Serbia next, who came into the tournament with a chip on their shoulder. The Spaniards took the challenge head on and came out on top. A superb effort on both ends set them apart. Carlos Martinez and Unai Mendicote combined for 16, but it was De Blas who called game yet again, earning Spain a perfect display in pool play.

Netherlands (women)

The reigning Europe Cup champs came out swinging on Day 2. 

It was a 19 – 13 victory against Latvia to start off the action, with Janis Ndiba putting up a team-high 8 points. Kiki Fleuren and Noortje Driessen combined for 9 in the winning effort.

They came away with a grinded down 16 – 12 win against Hungary who were desperate for a win. Ndiba had a monstrous impact on the game with 5 points and a whopping 12 rebounds. 

Players

Worthy de Jong (NED)

Fresh off an Olympic gold at Paris, it was hype Worthy all over again in Vienna as Worthy de Jong proved to be talismanic. 

It was a 6-point game to start off their tournament in a win against Azerbaijan. He took over in the second game against home side Austria with 10 points. He also got the clutch dime down the stretch to Julian Jaring for the game-winning two. 

Aleksandra Ziemborska (POL)

Poland finished pool play with a 2-0 record, and much of the credit would go to Aleksandra Ziemborska. She put up 6 points and 10 rebounds in their win against Romania before following it up with an 8-point effort against Olympic gold medalists Germany. 

Safe to say, a statement was made by the Polish star heading into the knockout stage. 

Quarter-Final 

Men’s 

Spain v Austria 

France v Lithuania

Switzerland v Great Britain

Netherlands v Serbia 

Women’s 

France v Austria

Netherlands v Germany 

Poland v Latvia

Spain v Ukraine 

Day 3

Quarter-final action goes down tomorrow as we find out who earns their place in the Semis.