ALMATY (Kazakhstan) – Vienna (AUT) went unbeaten, defeating Ub Huishan NE (SRB) 18 – 14 in the final to win the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Almaty 2024 on July 14.
The Austrian side were out to change their fortunes from their runners-up showing in Edmonton last week. They made quick work of Bishkek and San Juan in the pool phase before defeating Riffa in the Quarter-final. They survived in a thriller against Hangzhou 21 – 19 in the Semis to book a final spot.
They faced Serbian Giants Ub who showed gumption all tournament. They defeated Lausanne in the Quarter-Final before fending off heavy fire against Partizan in a Serbian derby Semis.
The Serbian trio from Ub, who had found their offense through tandem work so far, continued on the same with early points. Nemanja Barac and Nenad Nerandzic got things going before Stefan Stojacic pulled up from deep to increase their advantage. Enis Murati and Nico Kaltenbrunner were first to get on the scoresheet, but it were huge twos from Toni Blazan that pulled the game level again.
A flurry followed in the last minute, both teams throwing it all out there, but Vienna caught a late lead. A clutch lay from Kaltenbrunner made it 14 – 16 with just 18 seconds to go. A subsequent desperation foul saw him ice the game with two free throws, earning them a thrilling 14 – 18 victory.
Nico Kaltenbrunner had been the engine for his side all tournament, scoring a joint-high 24 points for Vienna before the final. His additional 7 points in the final proved to be pivotal. He finished with a player value of 45.4, a team-high as well. He earned the event’s MVP award.
In the individual contests, Riffa’s Jonas Foerts (BRN) won the shoot-out contest while Piotr “Grabo” Grabowski won the Maurice Lacroix dunk contest.
FINAL STANDINGS
1. Vienna (AUT)
2. Ub Huishan NE (SRB)
3. Partizan (SRB)
4. Hangzhou (CHN)
5. Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU)
6. Riffa (BRN)
7. San Juan Church’s (PUR)
8. Lausanne (SUI)
9. Zavkhan SAINSCORE (MGL)
10. Bishkek (KGZ)
11. Atyrau (KAZ)
12. Almaty (KAZ)
The 3×3 World Tour will return after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games for the World Tour Lausanne on August 16-17.
