Düsseldorf ZOOS aiming for back-to-back stop wins in FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Debrecen Stop 2023
DEBRECEN (Hungary) - After a dominant display in Baku, Düsseldorf ZOOS will aim to keep momentum rolling in the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Debrecen Stop 2023 on August 27-28.
Let’s break down the twentieth edition of the series.
The Contenders
Düsseldorf ZOOS had been on the boiling pot for a while, but it wasn’t until their last stop at Baku where it all finally clicked. The duo of paint wizard Ama Degbeon and the ever so clutch Aoi Katsura were complimented perfectly by Jenny Crowder and Yuka Maeda. Their ability to maneuver through to their shot in the paint along with the paint presence of Degbeon make them a force to reckon with. Their win came not only off their skill, but entirely how they out-hustled Germany in the final. Momentum is on their side as they will look to make it two-in-a-row in Debrecen.
It is the time for commercial sides in the Women’s Series as Neftchi have made waves throughout the season, most recently in Melilla as they executed a historic run to the final, beating USA, China and home side Spain in the final. Brianna Fraser and Dina Ulyanova have been strong forces in the paint while Arica Carter has been the heart of the team. Alexandra Mollenhauer has been immense for them as well. Their gritty yet clinical display has made them the dark horses of the season. A matchup of them and Düsseldorf makes for the perfect story.
The crowd will fully be in support of the commercial side Gyor. The side has been consistent in their performances, able to pull off some huge upsets. Led by Klaudia Papp and Boglarka Bach along with the veteran Dora Medgyessy, they just might have the right combo of scoring, defensive skill and leadership to make a deep run, especially in their home nation.
Egypt have undoubtedly been the most fun team to watch in the Series. Led by KillaPatra Soraya Mohamed and the sharpshooting Nadine Selaawy, they have had the crowd off their feet every second they are on the court. In just three appearances in the competition, they have made it all the way to the final where they lost to the dominant China. They most recently lost in Melilla to home side juggernauts in Spain, but not before dishing out their fair share of highlights. They are a side that’s here to win though, and it might just be their time in Debrecen.
The Field
The reigning champs of the Women’s Series Canada will take to the court as well, though branding an almost entirely new-look side. Samantha Cooper is the only who has previously appeared in the competition this season, and she will be joined by the shifty Keishana Washington, Saicha Grant-Allen and the versatile Cassandra Brown. It will be fascinating to see how quickly they gel in Debrecen but they have a winning DNA.
Lithuania has been rolling recently. They will be without Kamile Nacickaite, but Martyna Petrenaite and Dalia Donskichyte carried the offensive duties well for the side in Baku. They will look to build off their form and make a push for it all in Hungary.
USA U24 will compete in Debrecen as well. Azana Baines was part of the side that came ever so close to beating Canada in the final of the Quebec stop. Kayla Wells and Shyanna Sellers have both been instrumental to the team in previous stops as the trio will be joined by the debuting Teisha Hyman.
Pools
Pool A: Canada, Egypt, Austria
Pool B: Neftchi (AZE), USA U24, Ukraine
Pool C: Lithuania, Hungary, Latvia
Pool D: Düsseldorf ZOOS (GER), Gyor (HUN), Azerbaijan
How to watch
The action takes place in Hungary on August 27-28 and you can catch it all on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel and Facebook pages.