Dominant 3x3 nation Serbia out to conquer final frontier at Paris Olympics

BELGRADE (Serbia) - Having been the standard in men's 3x3 for over a decade, sweeping all before them, top-ranked Serbia will hunt an elusive Olympic gold medal in Paris. 

SERBIA

Ranking: 1st 

Previous Olympic Appearances: 2021 (bronze)

Squad: Dejan Majstorovic, Mihailo Vasic, Marko Brankovic, Strahinja Stojacic

Key Player: Strahinja Stojacic

He's No.1 for a reason. The Serb superstar affectionately known as 'Doctor Strange' has almost done it all.

The 32-year-old has long dominated the World Tour, while for Serbia he's the reigning World Cup and Europe Cup MVP. 

But Paris will be his Olympic debut after Stojacic was not part of Serbia's bronze medal winning team in Tokyo.

The moustached menace will be desperate for the biggest prize of them all and a gold medal might just cement his case as 3x3's GOAT. 

Qualification: Serbia have been ranked No.1 for what seems an eternity and that lofty ranking meant they did not have to qualify for the Olympics. 

They will be out for revenge after a shock semi-final defeat to Russian Olympic Committee in Tokyo.

Having cruised to the semis in an unbeaten run, Serbia - containing current team members Dejan Majstorovic and Mihailo Vasic - were left stunned and they've vowed to make amends. 

They've basically been unbeaten in major events ever since having won the World Cup back-to-back, while Serbia's domination of the Europe Cup has extended to five consecutive titles. 

Expectations: Only gold will suffice for the standard bearer of men's 3x3.

Serbia have been at the top essentially since FIBA unleashed the half-court game to the world early last decade and a gold medal will cement their stranglehold of 3x3. 

This proud nation was left shattered after falling short in Tokyo and they tweaked the team in the aftermath. Stojacic and Ub Huishan NE teammate Marko Brankovic came into the team and the results have been flawless. 

The chemistry has been off the charts with legendary Majstorovic completing the trio of Ub stars, while long-time Liman talisman Vasic is their intimidating presence in the paint. 

This awesome line-up has won back-to-back World Cups and will start as favorites in Paris. A special shout out must be made to Majstorovic, who is 3x3's most decorated player having starred for the two greatest ever World Tour teams - Ub and Novi Sad. 

But he's extra determined to overcome the ghosts of Tokyo and an Olympic gold medal would be the crowning achievement for the winningest player 3x3 has ever seen. 

FIBA