MATARO (Spain) – The FIBA 3x3 Mataro Challenger 2026 is set to take place at the Port de Mataro on September 26-27, featuring a competitive international lineup as teams vie for three spots in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Zaisan 2026. This event marks the 25th Challenger of the season, providing teams a significant opportunity to advance to the prestigious World Tour stage.
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Top-ranked teams will compete, with Liman (SRB) leading the field at second place in the season standings. They will face strong competition from fourth-ranked Baskets Bonn (GER), while Hangzhou Jingwei (CHN) and Cibona Ph.Classic (CRO) are currently ranked 15th and 16th, respectively. Home crowd favorites, Barcelona (ESP), ranked 19th, will look to perform well on their home turf.
Princeton (USA) aims to secure a second World Tour qualification for the season after already qualifying for WT Hong Kong. Rounding out the field is Kaunas VDU (LTU), currently ranked 27th, making every match significant as teams strive for the top three positions.
Key players include Stefan Milivojevic from Liman, Sidi Beikame of Baskets Bonn, and Vuk Borovićanin leading Hangzhou Jingwei. Roko Spaseski will be a focal point for Cibona Ph.Classic, while Barcelona’s Nil Bria seeks to shine at home. Princeton will rely on Justin Pierce, and Kaunas VDU features U23 standout Rokas Jocys, enhancing their offensive options.
The tournament includes a main draw where Liman, Mataro, and Diadema (BRA) make up Pool A; Baskets Bonn, Kaunas VDU, and Dubai (UAE) are in Pool B; Hangzhou Jingwei, Princeton, and one qualifier from Draw A are in Pool C; and Pool D contains Cibona Ph.Classic, Barcelona, and a qualifier from Draw B.
With crucial World Tour qualification on the line, every match in Mataro is expected to be highly contested, set against the scenic backdrop of the Port de Mataro. The tournament promises two intense days of elite 3x3 basketball as teams aim for a spot in Zaisan 2026.