Rejuvenated Riffa win FIBA 3x3 Lanzarote Challenger 2024

LANZAROTE (Spain) - Riffa (BRN) continued their rejuvenation after winning the FIBA 3x3 Lanzarote Challenger on July 28. 

Here's what happened in the 12nd Challenger of the season.

The winners: Riffa (BRN)

They were: No.1 most points scored, best shooting value & fewest points allowed.

After being in a slump, Riffa have emerged with consecutive titles on the pro circuit.

They have regained the swagger and pulled out impressive knockout wins to take down top seed Vienna (AUT), Lausanne (SUI) and Princeton (USA) in the final. 

Stars Dennis Donkor and Jonas Foerts combined for 68 points. 

The runner-up: Princeton (USA)

The Americans continued their eye-catching season, but Riffa proved to be their bogey team having lost to them twice.

After a tight victory over Partizan Meta Force (SRB) in the semis, Princeton were unable to ward off a hot shooting Riffa in a high-quality final. 

But they once again produced a strong tournament, with talisman Henry Caruso in devastating form to finish No.1 in player value (40.7). 

The Final: Riffa 21-Princeton 16

Riffa entered as favorite after a convincing win in the pool stage and they made the fast start with Dennis Donkor nailing the two ball to give his team the edge. 

Buckets were coming thick and fast as the offensive firepower of both teams was devastatingly unleashed. But confident Riffa had all the answers and their four-pronged monster proved irresistible with Caspar Augustijnen dominating on the inside. 

Princeton wouldn't roll over and a two-pointer from scoring machine Henry Caruso made things tense. But Riffa never buckled and a two-piece from Jonas Foerts lifted Riffa to the title well before the time limit. 

 

The reward: Three tickets to the Macau Masters

Riffa, Princeton and Partizan Meta Force qualified to the Macau Masters on October 19-20.

Final Standings:
1. Riffa (BRN)
2. Princeton (USA)
3. Partizan Meta Force (SRB)
4. Lausanne (SUI)
5. Hangzhou (CHN)

Top Scorers:
1. Dennis Donkor (Riffa, BRN) 36 pts
2. Henry Caruso (Princeton, USA) 32 pts
3. Jonas Foerts (Riffa, BRN) 32 pts
4. Malik Hluchoweckyj (Lausanne, SUI) 27 pts
5. Damon Huffman (Princeton, USA) 26 pts

Key Stats:
- Goran Vidovic had 10 points, 7 rebounds & 9 highlights in Hangzhou's (CHN) pool win over San Sebastian (ESP). 
- Leon Fertig had a triple-five of 7 points, 7 rebounds & 9 highlights in Dusseldorf LFDY (GER) pool win over Gargzdai (LTU). 
- The final between Riffa and Princeton lasted just 7'44" in playing time to be the shortest game of the tournament.

FIBA