Celebrate proceeds after the 3×3 World Cup in Antwerp: “You can only look back with a smile” | World Cup 3×3 Basketball
End of a day-long baskebalt party in Antwerp. After the last dunks and blocks at the 3×3 World Cup, it’s time to take stock of the sports and movements. Basketball expert Dennis Xhaët four preparation.
A missed opportunity for the Lions: “But enough time for revenge”
“The Lions can be happy with what they have shown, but not with the outcome. This was a missed opportunity to win a medal for our own people. They also submit that themselves afterwards. It says everything about the huge winning mentality and evolution of this group. In fact, it will take some time to get – although there is still plenty of time for revenge.”
Bryan De Valck was the epitome of the fact that basketball is about more than scoring points.
“Thibaut Vervoort was the trendsetter for the Lions, one of the three best players in the entire tournament. But Bryan De Valck deserves all the credit. He was the embodiment of the fact that basketball is more than scoring points, it is also showing the heart. At one point he even dove over the boarding to save a lost ball.”
The Cats’ Successful Tournament: “Showing How Big Heart Is”
“The balance of the cats? More than successful. Reaching the quarterfinals with a team with no 3×3 experience can be seen as a success. This is a completely different discipline than 5 against 5. Well done, so.”
“Especially in the victory against Brazil – with only three players – they showed how big their heart is. They started to play even better, with even more fire in the team. The question now is how the team will ultimately progress, because the focus with the Cat will remain more on 5×5.”
Tastemakers galore: “Iverson guarantee on spectacle”
“The stars at this World Cup could not be counted on one hand. With the men you could not ignore MVP Dejan Majstorovic. He is in the shape of his life and has also proven that in Antwerp. The moments when he had to be there, the Serb was simply excellent.”
“I also enjoyed Jessey Voorn, the Dutchman who created cool things in the group stage. And if you were going to see spectacle, then you had to be with Khalil Iverson. Blocks, alley oops… He was on his own for a reason to watch. The same could be said about Nauris Miezis. Unfortunately, he already lost with Latvia in the quarterfinals against Serbia – arguably the best match of the tournament.”
With the men you could not ignore MVP Dejan Majstorovic. He is in the shape of his life and has also proven that in Antwerp
“The Laëtitia Guapo sparkled – daily the MVP showed her versatility and femininity. Despite her height she is agile, complemented by a good shot and a strong defense.”
“The talented Hailey Van Lith proved all her qualities in the match against France. Unfortunately, she was not at the meeting in the quarterfinals. The Canadian Plouffe sisters – indistinguishable from each other – will stay with you. They are simply made for 3×3.”
The great atmosphere at the Groenplaats: “Continuous entertainment”
“You can only look back at the World Cup in Antwerp with a smile. The atmosphere was great all week. Certainly when the Belgians played, then the Groenplaats literally shook you. Even at times without a match there was continuous entertainment. With fans from different countries sitting peacefully next to each other in the stands. The FairPlay was also remarkably high on the field.”
Still, one small point for improvement for the organization: it was a pity that there were no people inside, there were empty places along the way.
“The activities went further than just the Groenplaats. The fringe activities on the Grote Markt, among others, appealed to many children. The ideal way to make even more people fall in love with the most beautiful sport in the world.”
“One small point for improvement for the organization: it was a pity that there were no people inside, but there were empty places. Then there could have been even more atmosphere. A large screen at the Groenplaats would have been nice too. But otherwise the organization was perfectly in order.”