New-look Germany seeking first title of season at FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Shusha 2023
SHUSHA (Azerbaijan) - Top seeds Germany will unleash new talent as they seek a first title on the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2023 in Shusha on June 12-13.
SHUSHA (Azerbaijan) - Top seeds Germany will unleash new talent as they seek a first title on the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2023 in Shusha on June 12-13.
Let's take a closer look at the fourth stop on this season's schedule.
The Favorites
World No.3 Germany will have top billing and headline Pool A. They bring a youthful team to Shusha with all their players aged between 22-23.
Germany made the quarters of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2022, but only Marie Reichert will be in the line-up here. The towering 6ft. 2in (1.88m) 22-year-old has her chance to lead Germany as they seek to end a title drought.
European powers Netherlands also deserve favoritism and loom as the team to beat in Pool B. The women in orange will be out to bounce back from a disappointing World Cup, where the Dutch failed to progress from the group stages.
The No.2 seeds will be out for an improved performance in their Women's Series 2023 debut and they should feel confident of a deep run with superstar Natalie van den Adel in the line-up.
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Hungary and Romania combined for just one win in Vienna, but have freshened up their teams in a bid for a change in fortune.
Hungary's Orsolya Toth has shown glimpses of her talent and this could be a breakout tournament for her, while 24-year-old Ecaterina Armanu is seen as Romania's next big thing.
The Field
There will be several new teams unveiled with Azerbaijan and commercial team Neftchi (AZE) hoping the support from their home fans can take them to great heights.
Japanese commercial team G FLOW.EXE (JPN) will be relying on walking bucket Shinobu Yoshitake, who has been in strong form in local competition back home.
While Turkey's hopes of a giant-killing run rests with Ilknur Yıldızhan Cetin, who can be unstoppable close to the basket.
Pools
Pool A: Germany, Romania, Neftchi (AZE), Turkey
Pool B: Netherlands, Hungary, Azerbaijan, G FLOW.EXE (JPN)
How to watch
The two-day extravaganza is on June 12-13 and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube and Facebook pages.
FIBA