All we learned from FIBA 3x3 World Tour Lausanne 2024

LAUSANNE (Switzerland) - The FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2024 resumed in style with a memorable return to the fan favorite Lausanne stop.

Let's take a closer look at this season's seventh World Tour stop played on August 16-17.

French Olympic medalists inspire Paris

Were Olympic silver medalists Franck Seguela and Jules Rambaut going to be mentally and physically drained after an unforgettable Paris Games? The answer was a resounding no as they led Paris (FRA) to an unbeaten title run in Lausanne. 

After performances for the ages on the big Olympic stage, their overwhelming confidence was evident with Seguela walking home with the MVP while Rambaut was also big time. 

They had plenty of help with athletic Paul Djoko and  Hugo Suhard also coming up clutch as Paris overcome a murderous row,  twice beating Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU), including the final, and thrilling knockout wins over No.1 seed Vienna (AUT) and Marseille (FRA). 

Having won their first Masters of 2024, Paris are riding a tidal wave of momentum and they will be hard to stop in the business end of the season.

  

Lethal Lithuanians also riding high after Olympics

It wasn't just Paris with an Olympics afterglow. Raudondvaris boasted three Olympic bronze medalists and they balled out to help the Lithuanians reach the final. 

They fell short of a second WT dub of 2024, but they remain among the absolute top tier of teams. Paris proved their bogey team, but Raudondvaris were otherwise unstoppable with bucket getter Aurelijus Pukelis continuing his red hot form.

After finishing on the Team of the Tournament in Paris, Pukelis was lights out with 32 points in Lausanne to cement his status as one of the best players in the game. 

 

Marseille adding to French success

It's not just Paris hogging the limelight for French men's 3x3 because Marseille are coming after a semi-final run in Lausanne.

These young guns have shown glimpses before, but they put it together to storm into the semis, where they came within an inch of upsetting Paris.

Their performance was made even more impressive after coming through qualification and they enjoyed eye-catching wins over Lausanne (SUI) and emerging Kandava Turiba (LAT). 

Youngsters Matheo Cauwet and Lorenzo Thirouard-Samson were walking buckets to prove they are two of the hottest prospects in 3x3. Marseille have made their mark and they aren't done yet.

 

Host Lausanne struggle

There was one team the passionate locals were most excited to watch. That was hometown heroes Lausanne, who have been in stunning form in 2024 and usually reserve their best for their fans. 

But the two-time World Tour 2024 runner-ups struggled and shockingly could not emerge from pool play. The No.4 seed weren't disgraced after losing close games to Marseille and Liman (SRB), but they will be bitterly disappointed. 

Wester Molteni aka 'King Wes' couldn't quite wear the crown on his half-court as he was unable to replicate the form he showed earlier in the season when he was the best big man in the game. 

Lausanne's quest for a first Masters title continues. 

 

The Olympic capital delivers again

With Olympic fever still in the air, it was fitting that the World Tour's return from its mid-season break was in Lausanne - the Olympic capital of the world. 

Lausanne has staged World Tour events for years with this fixture being an annual favorite in the calendar.

The latest showpiece was once again unforgettable with passionate and knowledgeable fans lighting up the venue amid Lausanne's spectacular scenery.  

We just can't wait to return to the Olympic capital 12 months from now. 

 

FIBA