All we learned from FIBA 3x3 World Tour Shanghai 2024

SHANGHAI (China) - There were crazy plays, unforgettable games and a new champion decided at the FIBA 3x3 Shanghai 2024 on September 21-22. 

Let's take a closer look at this season's ninth World Tour stop.

Riffa break title drought

It's been an up and down season for highly-rated Riffa (BRN) - the artists formerly known as Antwerp. 

Actually it's been more down then up with Riffa mired in an early season form slump before recently turning it around.

Their confidence was on full display in Shanghai in an unbeaten run capped by a murderous row of wins starting against Lausanne (SUI) and Vienna (AUT) - who were shorthanded in the event playing without injured star Nico Kaltenbrunner. 

Riffa showed all their resolve against top seed Ub Huishan NE (SRB) in a classic semi-final, where they appeared to be wilting late against the mighty Serbs.

But they kept their cool with Jonas Foerts hitting an epic Maurice Lacroix Buzzer Beater and Riffa couldn't be stopped from there as they overpowered in-form Paris (Fra) in the final. 

Riffa were led by MVP Dennis Donkor, who deserved the honor having flat out balled all season even when Riffa were struggling. But he had plenty of help with Foerts and Thibaut Vervoort hitting big shots, while big fella Caspar Augustijnen was a constant aerial threat. 

There are few teams with the firepower of Riffa, who unleashed their offensive weapons in Shanghai and they loom as a mighty threat during the final stretch of the season having finally broken through in 2024.

 

Paris continues strong form

They fell just short of a back-to-back triumph on the World Tour, but Paris did a lot right in Shanghai in another strong campaign. 

Playing with a lot of fun and trademark French flair, Paris are clearly enjoying themselves on the half-court. They are a firm fan favorite and easy on the eye, with superstar Franck Seguela once again in attack mode, while Paul Djoko matched him with highlight plays. 

Speedy Hugo Suhard is the team's general on the half-court and also a sniper from deep. While Olympic silver medalist Jules Rambaut is a constant menace in the paint to round out this perfectly constructed team - much like Riffa. 

Paris are a joy to watch every time they step on the half-court and we just can't wait to see them again in action. 

 

'Mr Robot' fights through pain barrier

Top seed Ub came into the event without superstar Strahinja Stojacic, but they had a perfect replacement in older sibling Stefan Stojacic aka 'Mr Robot'.

The Chengdu MVP was on fire in Ub's unbeaten Day One and was a key in Ub's fast start in the quarters against rival Liman (SRB).

But midway through the game, Stojacic fell to the ground in agony and clutched his knee - an injury that almost ended his career several seasons ago. He hobbled off and it was assumed his event had ended.

But he pushed through the pain barrier and played his heart out in an epic semi-final against Riffa. The injury did appear to rob him off his usual explosiveness as Ub fell short in a thriller.

They were the walking wounded by the end with Dejan Majstorovic and Nemanja Barac having also suffered blows to the head.

 

Liman remain titleless

Liman faced a formidable foe in the quarters against countrymen Ub and it didn't go well. Even though Stojacic limped off midway through the game, Liman couldn't capitalize as they flamed out.

The old magic has been evident in the pro circuit, where Liman have reeled off four titles but it hasn't translated to the World Tour. Liman have been knocked out four times from five Masters at the quarters, with their best result being a semi-final run in Lausanne.

They relied in Shanghai too heavily on sniper Stefan Kojic, who was cooking in trademark style but he lacked support in another disappointing finish for this legendary team.

 

Shanghai sizzled

The FIBA 3x3 World Tour returned to the famous global city of Shanghai after a smash debut last year.

There had been bad weather in the lead up, but thankfully the only storm during the event was on the half-court as 3x3 superstars made it wet.

The second edition proved bigger and better with the beautiful tranquil setting of the venue contrasting with the rowdy fans in the bleachers who made it feel like it was Chinese New Year.

 

FIBA