Defending champs Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy face Vienna in blockbuster at FIBA 3x3 World Tour Shanghai

SHANGHAI (China) - With the same players who memorably created history 12 months ago, Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy's (MGL) title defense at the FIBA 3x3 World Tour  Shanghai starts with a mouth-watering clash against Vienna (AUT). 

Ulaanbaatar will no doubt be overtaken by a wave of nostalgia ahead of the ninth event on the World Tour 2024.

 

But the Mongolians face a tough task against the No.2 seed Vienna who boast the four members of Austria's gold medal triumph at the Europe Cup 2024. 

The third team in Pool B is Plunge (LTU). 

Top seed Ub Huishan NE (SRB) are looking for back-to-back Masters triumph after bouncing back to form in Debrecen.

The Serbs will need to continue their red hot form because they are pitted in a tough Pool A featuring Princeton (USA) and in-form Chongming, who boast Latvian legends Karlis Lasmanis and Nauris Miezis, while Cameron Forte is 3x3's newest sensation. 

Pool C is similarly loaded with No.3 seed Paris (FRA) back on the World Tour since their victory in Lausanne - played in the aftermath of France's remarkable Olympic performance on home soil. 

 

Olympic silver medalists Franck Seguela and Jules Rambaut face legendary Liman (SRB), who have won four titles this season but are still searching for a first Masters triumph. 

It's far from a two-horse race with Wuxi WenLv (CHN) hoping to get the Chinese fans jumping from their seats. 

No.4 seed Riffa (BRN) are starting to roll as they again face Lausanne (SUI), who knocked them out in the quarters of the Chengdu Masters. The clash between big men Wether Molteni and Caspar Augustijnen will be another battle of strength. 

 

The third team in Pool D will emerge from the qualifying draw featuring Belgrade (SRB), Milano (ITA) and HK Central (HKG). 

FIBA