Powers Germany and Spain meet in Day 1 blockbuster at FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Tel Aviv stop 2022

TEL AVIV (Israel) - The  FIBA 3x3 Women's Series is back and will launch in style in Tel Aviv on May 28-29 with a monster blockbuster between European heavyweights Germany and Spain on Day 1. 

In the first stop of the biggest ever 3x3 pro women's season, No.1 seed Germany top Pool A, which might just have to be labelled the 'Group of death' considering European champions Spain and Lithuania are also in the mix. 

All eyes with be on the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup 2021 final re-match between Germany and Spain, who memorably won that contest 16-12 to trigger emotional celebrations. 

The game will involve the world's top 4 ranked players, including No.1 Sonja Greinacher and Spanish sensation Sandra Ygueravide, who was the MVP in Paris last year. 

While Germany and Spain have more hype than the trailer for Mission: Impossible 7, No.9 seed Lithuania can't be overlooked and will be aiming to spoil the party of their rivals. 

New-look France top Pool B as the No.2 seed but will be without their familiar faces who have long dominated the Women's Series. But get hyped about watching the Next Gen of Les Bleues with the team comprised of players 25 and under, including last year's Nations League MVP Hortense Limouzin.

They will be up against new team Ulaanbaatar Amazons (MGL), who are among the first private teams to debut on the Women's Series. It's a mixture of youth and experience highlighted by prized Canadian recruit Rashida Timbilla, who is hoped to make this team a force from day one as the first foreigner to play for a Mongolian 3x3 team.

No.10 Romania are outsiders in the group but can't be written off with Olympian Ancuţa Stoenescu leading their charge. 

The always competitive Netherlands are the No.4 seed and favorite in Pool C. The Dutch have only one half of their famous sisters - Loyce Bettonvil - but they ooze talent with 22-year-old Noortje Driessen a player to keep a close eye on. 

They will face stiff competition from Mongolia, who are led by 22-year-old star Khulan Onolbaatar. Having had an incredible 2021, where she was her country's flag-bearer at the Tokyo Olymics, Onolbaatar will be hoping to make a leap and give Mongolia - such a 3x3 success story - a first ever title in the Women's Series. 

Host Israel are the underdogs in the group but strong fan support might just help them cause upsets. 

Pool D is intriguing with the Netherlands' deep pool of talent showcased through their U24 team and they command respect as the No.3 seed.

But the favorite of the group is probably No.5 seed Poland, who finished third in the showpiece Bucharest Final to end 2021. They boast top 10 ranked player Klaudia Sosnowska and she has a reliable co-star in Aldona Morawiec. The duo will cause plenty headaches for their opponents in this group.  

Much like Ulaanbaatar, EXEWING (JPN) join the World Tour as a private team and have gone overseas and recruited Americans Natalie Kucowski and Camille Zimmerman. 

Get the pop corn ready, the Women's Series is back.

FIBA