Brazil shock the world, reigning champs France repeat history on Day 5 of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023

VIENNA (Austria) - Brazil (men) fight back from play-in to shock Poland while World Cup 2022 gold medalists France beat Canada on an intense Day 5 of the Vienna FIBA 3x3 World Cup on June 3.

THE TEAMS

Brazil (men) were the underdogs. Despite going 3-1 in the group stages, only losing to reigning champs Serbia, their bullish style led fans to favor the on-fire Japanese side heading into the play-in. While it was closely contested, Brazil had the blueprint. Locking down shooters like Thomas Early Kennedy to miss all two attempts in the game and dominating in the paint offensively, Ruan Miranda and Jonatas Mello carried Brazil to a quarter-finals tie against Poland.

A battle of the bigs was the headline going into the game, with Mello and Miranda taking on the ‘Giant’ Adrian Bogucki. What followed was an intense battle in the paint, neither team letting the other catch momentum. With mere seconds to go, Bogucki’s shot gave his side the 11-10 lead. 4 seconds on the clock, the ball found its way to Leonardo Branquinho who swished an incredible long range fadeaway two to take his side to a 11-12 win. They will go onto face the United States in the Semi-finals who got the job done against France in the Quarter-finals 

Reigning champions France (women) caught fire in both games on the day as they look to make it two World Cup gold medals in a row. First taking on a fiery England side led by Raelin D’Alie, both sides were effective in locking down the other. The hero of the game for Les Blueus was Myriam Djekoundade. The defensive juggernaut caught fire on offense, scoring 7 points for the side to progress to the Quarter-finals.

A repeat of last year’s World Cup finals, they took on an in-form Canadian side who has gone unbeaten since the first game OT thriller against Czech Republic. The Plouffe sisters were rolling offensively, but neither side could lock the other down. It came down to the final possession with scores level at 13-13. With seconds running down, Marie-Eve Paget drove to the bucket to get a tough lay, sealing the victory for her side, 13-14. They will now take on the ever-consistent Australian side who comfortably defeated Spain in their Quarter-final game.

THE PLAYERS

Strahinja Stojacic is inevitable, as you’d expect from Dr. Strange himself. With the roaring Vienna crowd firmly on the side of hometown side Austria in the Quarter-finals, Stojacic laid out all his magic tricks to silence the roaring crowd. Austria kept battling back, but every time they thought they had the answer, Dr. Strange would change the question, going off for 7 points along with numerous dimes. Serbia made it through to the Semi-finals, and Stojacic pulled the strings to make it happen.

On the women’s side, it was none other than Hailey Van Lith, who went off in the play-in game against a blazing hot Japan side. She put up a huge 9-point performance in the first game before putting up a crucial 8 points against hometown side Austria in the Quarter-finals.

SEMI-FINALS

Men's side

Serbia vs Latvia

Brazil vs United States

Women's side

United States vs China

France vs Australia

DAY 5

This is it, it all comes down to this. The Semi-finals of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023 go down before the ultimate Finals game. Who takes home gold? Tune in tomorrow.