Riffa produce scintillating performance to win FIBA 3x3 Lausanne Super Quest 2024

LAUSANNE (Switzerland) - Riffa (BRN) found their best form in the knockout stage to emerge victorious at the FIBA 3x3 Lausanne Super Quest 2024 on April 5. 

Here's what happened.

The winner: Riffa (BRN)

Riffa lived up to top billing with the No.1 seed taking out the title in Lausanne. But they were made to work after splitting their Day One games having been stunned by Ermont SENEF (FRA). 

Riffa remained unruffled and flicked the switch during the knockout stage.

They had to tough it out against Carolina CASA POL (PUR) before rounding into top form at the perfect time with wins over Nantes ATCCrosser (FRA) and then Lausanne (SUI), defying the home crowd to take the crown. 

Riffa might be a new name on the circuit, but they are loaded with familiar 3x3 stars. There won't be many teams with more firepower this year than Riffa, who boast scoring machines Thibaut Vervoort, Dennis Donkor and Jonas Foerts. 

Mixing dunks with hot shooting, Vervoort was 'Must See TV' as he looks to again be one of the very best players in 3x3, while Donkor also unleashed his lockdown defensive skills to shut down rival stars. 

 

The runner-up: Lausanne (SUI)

You just knew that Lausanne would make a serious title run with these Swiss Maestros always inspired by their passionate fans. 

And they didn't let them down with Lausanne once again crowd pleasers as Lausanne came so close to winning the title. Speedy Giles Martin ignited Lausanne with crazy tricks, while Westher Molteni showed why he's 'King Wes' as he eyed the crown. 

The Swiss proved they aren't just natural born entertainers, but cool under pressure as they squeezed past Nantes ATCCrosser (FRA) and Montreux (SUI) in Day One thrillers. 

They had nerves of steel in the knockouts as they edged past talented St Pauli (GER) in the last eight before overcoming compatriots Morges Gipuzkoa (SUI) in an OT classic. 

It appeared destiny that Lausanne would take the crown, but their run ended in the final as they could not stop the explosive scoring of Riffa.

Still Lausanne should be satisfied with their run and it was also valuable preparation for their players, who will represent Switzerland at the upcoming FIBA 3x3 Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament 1 2024 in Hong Kong. 

 

 

The Final: Riffa 21-Lausanne 14

Fittingly, the top two seeds made it through to the decider. Lausanne aimed to be the host with the most, while Riffa's stars wanted to prove that they can still flat out ball even in new jerseys. 

Lausanne knew they needed a fast start against dynamic Riffa, who can heat up faster than two-minute noodles. Gilles Martin was up to his usual tricks as he threw up a prayer from the logo to give the Swiss the early lead. 

But that woke Riffa up as they went on a run and shared the ball crisply with Thibaut Vervoort nailing a tough two to give his team a handy 11-7 lead. They were playing beautiful 3x3 with Dennis Donkor finishing a chain of slick passes to splash from downtown as Riffa pulled away. 

Westher Molteni tried to ignite Lausanne with the one-handed slam, but Vervoort answered with a thunderous dunk of his own before Donkor sealed the deal with a huge two as Riffa celebrated the title. 

 

 

The reward: Two tickets to the World Tour

Riffa and Lausanne qualified to the FIBA 3x3 World Tour.

Final Standings:
1. Riffa (BRN)
2. Lausanne (SUI)
3. Morges Gipuzkoa (SUI) 
4. Nantes ATC (FRA)
5. Toronto (CAN)

FIBA