ASTANA – The Qatar men’s team and France’s women’s team were the winners of the 2016 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3×3 U18 (under 18) World Championships. The tournament was held June 1-5 in the capital.
Photo: fiba.com
“Exciting, urban and innovative, 3×3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court,” noted the event website.
Usually known as streetball or street basketball, the game has gained the popularity throughout the world. Kazakhstan has followed the trend and two teams represented the country at the tournament.
Qatar defeated Brazil in the finals, 20-12. Italy beat last year’s champion New Zealand, 21-14, in the bronze medal game.
Similar to 2015, France and the US met in the finals. The French team stayed undefeated in the tournament, defeating the Americans, 21-12. Spain and the Czech Republic met in the game for third place, with Spain winning, 18-12.
In addition to the team event, the championship had three individual contests.
“The number one 3×3 player in the U18 women’s category, Veronika Kanyasi, dominated the skills contest in every round. Julia Niemojewska (Poland) won silver and Nathaly Pinelo won the first-ever medal for Guatemala at a 3×3 event,” said the press release.
In the shoot-out contest, Poland’s Weronika Nowakowska won gold, Hamish McDonald (New Zealand) struck silver and Robert Füzi collected bronze.
Belgium’s Zaccharie Mortant captured the gold, while Alberto Perez (Spain) earned a silver medal and Krisztofer Durazi from Hungary gained the bronze in the dunk contest.
In the final standings, Kazakhstan took 11th place among 20 countries. The men’s team was represented by Kamal Aubakirov, Bakhtiyar Namazabayev, Artem Parfenov and Ilyas Zhunusov.
On the first day of the championship, the team defeated Romania, 17-12, before losing to Italy, 19-14.
Two days later, the Kazakhs beat Indonesia, 15-12, but were topped by Qatar, 21-9.
Kazakh National Team. Photo: VK page of the event
Madina Baibolekova, Railya Mybarakova, Karina Olenberg and Luiza Zukova composed the women’s team.
The girls began June 2, winning against the Netherlands, 12-11, but losing to Italy, 21-6.
The team ended its run on the final day, defeated by the USA, 19-14, and Poland, 12-10.
