Confident Germany loom as strong contender at FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Bucharest Final 2021

BUCHAREST (Romania) - A fascinating FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2021 season will finish in style at the decider in Bucharest on September 18-19. 

The eight highest-ranked teams in the Women's Series standings - available after Montreal - will compete for glory in a loaded draw filled with superstar players galore. This is the second edition of the Women's Series, following France's success in 2019.

Romania's capital will have a full 3x3 experience with the FIBA 3x3 U23 Nations League finale held on September 17-18. 

Let's take a closer look at the Women's Series Final and give you all the information needed ahead of what shapes to be an epic decider. 

Seeding 

Pool A

1. Russia; 4. Germany; 5. Romania; 8. Canada

Pool B 

2. Netherlands; 3. Mongolia; 6. Poland; 7. Austria  

The Favorites 

No.4 seed Germany might just deserve favoritism having entered Bucharest in hot form.

The rising 3x3 power finished with an impressive silver medal at last week's FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup 2021 and the 12th seed were led by the dominant Sonja Greinacher, who finished in the three-player team of the tournament. 

The 1.90m (6ft 3in) rebounding machine might well be the best player in Bucharest as she lays claim to being one of the most unstoppable players on the pro circuit. 

The Constanta stop MVP will be joined by the same group of players underlining Germany's chemistry.

At some stage Germany might well end up meeting budding rival Netherlands whom they beat in the final in Constanta.

No.2 seed Netherlands' depth will be tested with only Janis Boonstra returning from the lineup in Constanta but the Dutch have always been competitive so can't be underestimated. 

The winners of four stops back in 2019, Canada, scraped into the main draw here but should be feared because of the return of the Plouffe sisters who were such a terrific tandem two years ago.

Canada haven't played much since this dazzling run but still made semi-final finishes in Constanta and Montreal. 

Poland also deserve a mention in this list of contenders having performed consistently this season, including runners-up in Mies and fourth-placed in Klaipeda.

The Poles know how to put on a show with Anna Pawlowska aka the step-back queen and former number one 3x3 player in the world Klaudia Sosnowska a magnet on the boards. 

The Field

To be honest, every team in Bucharest has a chance to win it all. That's how close these teams are with stars filling out every team.

No.1 seed Russia are top ranked on the world rankings due to their long line of talent.

And they'll have to rely on that with Russia missing their frontline stars but young guns Ekaterina Evdokimova and Kamilla Ogun have the potential to be breakout stars after showing plenty of promise during the FIBA 3x3 U23 Nations League 2021.

Host Romania will have the advantage of playing in front of the local fans and they've been strong in the Women's Series this season with semi-final finishes in Voiron and Poitiers.

They've mixed and matched their lineups a bit but importantly boast Olympian Ancuta Stoenescu who has the talent to take the tournament by the scruff of the neck.

No.7 seed Austria have made their mark this season and arrive full of confidence after finishing second in Montreal.

Simone Sill and Sarah Sagerer were part of the strong campaign by Austria, who beat Poland in the quarters en route to the final. The teams will clash in a Pool B blockbuster in Bucharest with Austria having the physiological edge. 

And we just can't forget everyone's favorite underdog Mongolia who have found things tough in 2021 but there is reason for optimism. They have big game player and Olympian Khulan Onolbaatar while Mingin Ganbat can produce the impossible. 

Don't write them off. 

How to Follow 

You can watch the livestream on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube and Facebook pages. Make sure to follow @FIBA3x3W on Instagram as well, the official women's account of FIBA 3x3. 

 FIBA