Pools announced for trio of FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying tournaments

MIES (Switzerland) - The hype is in overdrive after the pools were announced for a trio of 3x3 Olympic qualifying tournaments with Paris 2024 dreams on the line.

These upcoming events will determine the last five spots per gender for  3x3's second appearance at the Olympics. Serbia, USA and China have already qualified for the men's, while China, USA and France have earned slots in the women's. 

FIBA Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament 1 (Hong Kong, April 12-14)

Led by excitement machine Worthy de Jong, Netherlands headline Pool A, while Asian champs Mongolia and Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Latvia square off in Pool B

Men's

Pool A: Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Hong Kong
Pool B: Mongolia, Latvia, Egypt, New Zealand 

In the women's, African power Egypt will be out to send shockwaves in Pool A, while European champs Netherlands are the team to beat in Pool B. 

Pool A: Hungary, Poland, Egypt, Hong Kong
Pool B: Netherlands, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Chile 

FIBA Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2 (Utsunomiya, May 3-5)

There will be action aplenty in these two pools featuring several  continental champs and dark horse calibre teams. 

Men's

Pool A: Lithuania, Latvia, Puerto Rico, Brazil
Pool B: France, Mongolia, Japan, Egypt

In the women's, AmeriCup silver medalist Brazil could well loom as powerful Germany's biggest threat, while Asian champs Australia will ask major questions of powerhouses Canada and Netherlands in a stacked Pool B. 

Women's

Pool A: Germany, Japan, Austria, Brazil
Pool B: Canada, Netherlands, Australia, Kenya

FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (Debrecen, May 16-19) 

There will be heavyweight men's teams in Debrecen with Europe Cup silver medalist Lithuania highlighting Pool A. 

Netherlands highlight a loaded Pool B which also features reigning AmeriCup champs Puerto Rico. 

Pool C will see a blockbuster between France and Latvia, while Belgium will be looking to shake up Pool D having finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics.

Men's

Pool A: Lithuania, Switzerland, Germany, Madagascar
Pool B: Netherlands, Austria, Puerto Rico, Hungary
Pool C: France, Latvia, Canada, Egypt
Pool D: Mongolia, Belgium, Japan, Poland

In the women's, top seed and perennial Women's Series power Germany highlight Pool A, while American heavyweight Canada will face a blockbuster with Europe Cup bronze medalist Lithuania. 

Spain headlines Pool C, while host Hungary will have to battle with Netherlands and former World Cup winners Italy in a tough Pool D. 

Women's
Pool A: Germany, Azerbaijan, Poland, Tunisia
Pool B: Canada, Lithuania, Czechia, Chile
Pool C: Spain, Japan, Egypt, Mongolia
Pool D: Hungary, Netherlands, Italy, Israel

FIBA