Riffa determined to bounce back at FIBA 3x3 Poitiers Challenger 2024

POITIERS (France) - Riffa (BRN) are hoping to shrug off recent disappointment and round into top form at the FIBA 3x3 Poitiers Challenger 2024 on June 28-29. 

Let's preview the sixth Challenger of the year.

The Favorites

Riffa are one of the best teams in the business as underlined by being the No.2 seed in Riffa. But they're going through a tough stretch capped by a quarter-final exit at the Chengdu Masters. 

They bring back the same four players, who will be determined for an improved showing. You just know Dennis Donkor will be a menace, while big fella Caspar Augustijnen might enjoy a breakthrough having recently returned from a serious knee injury. 

Their hopes of a first title this season won't be easy in such a loaded draw with top seed Vienna (AUT) led by the formidable one-two punch of Nico Kaltenbrunner and Matthias Linortner. 

No.3 seed Liman (SRB) are also hoping to bounce back after losing in the quarters in Chengdu. They played with plenty of passion and energy, but a cold-shooting performance against Princeton (USA) proved costly. 

Sharpshooter Stefan Kojic will be looking to be on target, while Liman have the size to trouble opponents with Mihailo Vasic and star recruit Marko Stevanovic feeling at home in the paint. 

No.4 seed Hangzhou (CHN ) are absolutely a contender because we've seen this team go all the way on the World Tour before. Vladimir Trajkovic can get crazy hot from deep, while Goran Vidovic usually stuffs the stats sheet.

The Field

Let's start off with Kandava Turiba (LAT), who are the New Gen of Latvian 3x3. We've been impressed with their talent, especially Francis Lacis who is a force at the rim. 

Warsaw Lotto (POL) can absolutely make a run because they've got dudes who are headed to the Paris Olympics. Przemyslaw Zamojski is a legendary bucket getter and he'll be needed to splash in Poitiers with the Poles in a tough Pool A against Vienna and Pirot (SRB). 

The clash with Pirot might determine who qualifies into Day Two with the Serbs a dark horse because they have an OG crossover artist - Dragan Bjelica, who still breaks ankles. 

Tel-Aviv (ISR) and Plunge (LTU) also need to be shouted out because they can get on a roll.  

 Pools

Pool A: Vienna (AUT), Warsaw Lotto (POL), Pirot (SRB)
Pool B: Riffa (BRN), Kandava Turiba (LAT), Ermont SENEF (FRA)
Pool C: Liman (SRB), Plunge (LTU), QD
Pool D:  Hangzhou (CHN), Tel-Aviv (ISR), QD

What's at stake

The top 3 teams in Poitiers will qualify for the Debrecen Masters on August 31-September 1, 2024, as part of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour.

How to watch

The two-day extravaganza is on June 28-29 and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube page.

FIBA