All we learned from FIBA 3x3 World Tour Almaty 2024

ALMATY (Kazakhstan) - Before a mid-season break as attention turns to the Paris Olympics, the FIBA 3x3 World Tour had a memorable first visit to Kazakhstan with an amazing Almaty event

Let's take a closer look at this season's sixth World Tour stop played on July 13-14.

Vienna rewarded for consistency 

Heading into Almaty, Vienna (AUT) had made the knockout stages in each of their six events. The Austrians had contested two straight finals, including losing a heart-breaking final to Miami (USA) at the Edmonton event final.

They were clearly in very good form, but frustration was starting to build. Could they capitalize on their form and win a title? The answer was a resounding yes, with Vienna enjoying an unbeaten run. 

The No.2 seed made a statement with a commanding Day One victory over San Juan Church's (PUR) before a team effort overcame an offensive explosion from Dennis Donkor to down Riffa (BRN) in the quarters. 

Vienna were in the fight of their lives against Hangzhou (CHN) in a thrilling semi-final that went down to the wire. Nico Kaltenbrunner put the team on his back to lift Vienna into the final, where they overwhelmed a three-man Ub Huishan NE (SRB). 

The speedy Kaltenbrunner is turning into a superstar and he deservedly took home the MVP after finishing third in player-value (45.4).

He had plenty of support with bucket getters Matthias Linortner and Toni Blazan red-hot as Vienna entered the mid-season break on a high. 

 

Shorthanded Ub Huishan NE were brave 

The top seed arrived without stars Strahinja Stojacic, Dejan Majstorovic and Marko Brankovic, who will be part of Serbia's quest for gold at the Paris Olympics. 

With just three players in Almaty, a second straight Masters title loomed as mission impossible but you can never write off Ub. And in trademark style they didn't roll over as Ub impressively edged past Zavkhan SAINSCORE (MGL) and Hangzhou (CHN) on Day One. 

In-form Lausanne (SUI) loomed as a tough test in the quarters, but Ub were up for the challenge and produced a defensive masterclass while big fella  Nenad Nerandzic dominated the paint. 

Their unwavering determination saw them push past Partizan (SRB) in the semis with Nerandzic again feasting down low, while Chengdu MVP Stefan Stojacic hit several big shots. 

They appeared set to do what only a select few teams have accomplished and go all the way at a Masters with just three players. 

Ub ran out of gas in the final, but they showcased all the hallmarks - resiliency, determination and teamwork - that makes them the standard of 3x3. 

 

Hangzhou are more than an x-factor team

Hangzhou came into prominence last season when they soared to a stunning triumph at the Constanta Masters. But that was not a fluke with Hangzhou putting together a really strong season so far. 

They had made the knockouts of all three events on the pro circuit before storming to the semis in their World Tour 2024 debut in Almaty. The eighth seed rebounded from an opening loss to Ub with an easy victory over Zavkhan SAINSCORE. 

Not for the first time, they had the better of powerhouse Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU) with excitement machine Goran Vidovic putting up a crazy performance of 9 points and 9 highlights in the quarters. 

Hangzhou will rue some missed chances against Vienna in the semis, but they have provided a statement to the world. 

Milan Kovacevic dominated inside, while sniper Vladimir Trajkovic was on target as Hangzhou proved they are much more than an x-factor team.

They are a legitimate force. 

 

Riffa need to do some soul searching

The mid-season break has come at a good time for Riffa, who have dropped to seventh on the world rankings. 

They will be disappointed because Riffa at their best are absolutely among the top tier. We just haven't seen their best often enough with No.5 Riffa losing their opener to Partizan before being knocked out by Vienna.

Dennis Donkor played a lone hand, with his partner-in-crime Jonas Foerts ice cold from deep. Big fella Caspar Augustijnen has yet to regain his explosion after only just recently coming back from a serious knee injury. 

Riffa have not made a final from seven events this season and they'll need to regroup during a mid-season break that hasn't come quick enough for them. 

 

 Almaty made its mark on the World Tour 

3x3 has been to the beautiful Central Asian country of Kazakhstan before when it hosted the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup 2016.

But the World Tour had never ventured to this enchanting destination and Almaty, the country's largest city where stunning mountains are in the backdrop, sure made its mark. 

The passionate fans at the Republic Palace Square were energetic as Almaty put itself on the World Tour map in style. 

FIBA