Austria is surprisingly in the play-in at 3×3 World Cup
Austria’s 3×3 basketball players advanced to the play-in at the World Championships in Antwerp (BEL) despite just one win in four group stage games (Pool D). This was made possible by Egypt’s 21:17 against Slovenia late Thursday evening. Austria will therefore meet France on Saturday (2.35 p.m.) for a place in the quarter-finals.
The ÖBV men’s selection, number twelve in the tournament, with Nico and Steven Kaltenbrunner, Matthias Linortner and Martin Trmal, started the World Cup premiere on Tuesday with 22:8 against Egypt and 17:21 against Olympic champions USA. On Thursday evening there was a 20:22 against Slovenia and a 18:21 against hosts Belgium.
The end seemed to be sealed. But then Egypt came along and provided unexpected support with a win – the first and only one of the tournament.
Women’s team facing a difficult task
It will be difficult for the ÖBV women to advance after two defeats on the first day of the game. Alexia Allesch, Anja Fuchs-Robetin, Camilla Neumann and Michaela Wildbacher meet New Zealand (11 a.m., live on ORF Sport+) and France (12.50 p.m., live on ORF-TVthek) on Friday. The chance of promotion remains intact only with two wins.
In Antwerp, 20 nations each are at the start for men and women. The winners of the four groups of five advance directly to the quarter-finals. The teams in second and third place will play for the other four spots in the round of the top eight on Saturday.