Spain earn resilient win at FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Bordeaux stop 2024

BORDEAUX (France) - Spain spoil the French party, defeating France 16 - 14 in the final to win the FIBA 3x3 Bordeaux stop 2024 on July 9 - 10. 

The winner: Spain

Spain were out to build momentum with the Paris 2024 Olympics around the corner, and they did just that. 

Their first game was a win against Azerbaijan who forfeited their participation due to injury. They had an all-biting game against local side Bordeaux Ballistik next as they held on to a 20 - 19 result. Talisman Sandra Ygueravide took on the offensive load as she put up 10 points while Vega Gimeno chipped in with 6.

It was Quarter-Final action next against a strong Italy side. The Spaniards proved to be too much as their inside play paid dividends. Their ball movement opened up space which they capitalized on. Gimeno led her side in scoring with 8. 

It was a heated battle in the Semis against an on-fire Czechia side who had come up clutch numerous times in Bordeaux. With just under 3 minutes to go, Czechia had the game in control, a 4 point lead thanks to Karolina Sotolowa heralding her side in scoring, but Spain fought back. 

Huge shots as a collective pulled them back into the game, enough to push the action to Overtime. It was Ygueravide who came up with heroics this time as two points from her sealed the deal as Spain booked their spot in the final. 

The runner-up: France

Hoping to complete their sweep in home appearances this season, France came into the tournament with their Olympic core. 

It wasn’t the smooth start they envisioned as they suffered a loss to Czechia in the opener thanks to a winner from Petra Malíková in the final seconds. They pulled things back in their next games against the Hungarian side Gyor where they won 14 - 11. Myriam Djekoundade was immense, putting on a lockdown defensive display while also putting up 8 points in the process. 

They took on Poland in the Quarter-Final where they came away 21 - 15 victors. A committee effort on the scoring end, Djekoundade and Laetitia Guapo put up 6 each.

It was a home affair in the Semis as they faced Bordeaux Ballistik. It was a huge game from Hortense Limouzin this time who was everywhere, taking charge on defense while also putting her unmatched speed to good use. A 17 - 10 victory followed for France who were headed for collision against a team they face a storied history with. 

The final

Spain 16 - 14 France 

A back-and-forth start to the action, both teams traded early buckets. Offensive contributions from Laetitia Guapo however, led to an early lead for the French. Nearly halfway into the game, France led by more than double the score at 5 - 10. 

Spain battled back thanks to the Olympic trio of Gracia Alonso, Ygueravide and Gimeno who racked up timely points. It became a more level playing field as both teams found parity in scoring.

However, with just over a minute to go, scores at 12 - 13, Vega Gimeno took over. She kept up with the French in scoring by herself, scoring all of the Spanish sides points all the way until the final buzzer. A foul sent her to the line for two free throws, of which she converted both to hand her side a late one-point advantage. 

France tried frantically to battle back but another late bucket by Gimeno sealed the deal, Spain had beaten France 16 - 14 to win the Bordeaux stop. 

Standings 

1. Spain

2. France

3. Czechia

4. Bordeaux Ballistik (FRA)

5. Netherlands 

6. Poland

7. Italy

8. Germany

9. Gyor (HUN)

10. Israel

11. Puerto Rico

12. Azerbaijan

What’s next

The Women's Series returns to China next with the Langfang Women's Series going down on July 12 - 13.