Very exciting European Universities 3x3 Basketball Championship came to an end on July 28, 2017 in Split, Croatia, and the last day was a really joy to behold. Fantastic energy, a lot of quality plays and players and unfortunately for the spectators it had to end. The Champions crown was won by the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University (UKR) in women and the University of Kragujevac (SRB) in men’s category.

The matches were played at the Riva in the historic part of the City of Split, arousing a lot of interest by the locals, visitors and the tribunes were full of supporters and fans. The 3rd European Universities 3x3 Basketball Championship, formed part of the Split 2017 events, comprising of European Universities Championships in 3x3 Basketball, Beach Volleyball and Sport Climbing.



Already after the quarterfinal matches, the audience was sure to witness an amazing tournament. The home team of the University of Split had not one but two teams in the semis, and the University of Kragujevac (SRB) easily won against the University of Genova (ITA). The University of Ljubljana (SLO) lost against the Saint-Petersburg State University of Technology and Design (RUS).



In the finals, the University of Kragujevac (SRB) beat the Saint-Petersburg State University of Technology and Design (RUS), winning the third consecutive gold medal in EUSA events. University of Split 2 (CRO) won third place, winning their colleagues from University of Split 1 (CRO).



The women semi-finals was a reprise of the last year finals from Rijeka, because University of Ljubljana (SLO) and Lithuanian Sport University (LTU) faced to decide who will face the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University (UKR) in the final match, as the Ukrainian team overpowered the National University of Physical Education and Sport  (ROU) in the semis.



Lithuanian Sport University  as the defending champions played an excellent match and lead by Deimante Žuskaite caused a lot of trouble for the Ukrainian team but experience of the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University did not allow any upset and won the gold medal. Last year’s silver medallists University of Ljubljana this year won bronze medal.



The European Universities 3x3 Basketball Championship in Split also served as qualification to the 3x3 FISU World University League – 2017 Finals in Xiamen, China. Top two teams in each category (from different countries) have been invited by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) to take part in the event, which is held also in cooperation with FIBA.



Awards ceremony was held after the final matches, followed by a closing ceremony. Medals and awards were given by the President of the Organising Committee Mr Boris Males, Executive Director of the Organising Committee Mr Toni Gamulin, EUSA Executive Committee Member Mr Milan Zvan, EUSA Technical Delegate Mr Ilan Kowalsky and Assistant Jeanine Tjin-A-Sioe.



University of Aveiro (POR) won the fair play award, Ana-Mari Cuatu from the National University of Physical Education and Sport (ROU) and Stojan Dekanovic from the University of Ljubljana (SLO) won men and women three-point shootout, while Anton Dikov from St Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Turnovo  (BUL) won the dunk contest.



Luka Petrasic, University of Split 2 (CRO), Shalva Shatashvili, Saint-Petersburg State University of Technology and Design (RUS), Luka Rašetina University of Split 1 (CRO) and the MVP of the tournament Ivan Nedeljkovic, University of Kragujevac (SRB) made the men all star team, while Deimante Zukaite, Lithuanian Sports University (LTU), Ana-Maria Cuatu, National University of Physical Education and Sport (ROU), Ursa Zibert, University of Ljubljana (SLO) and MVP Olga Maznichenko, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University (UKR) have their place in the women all star team.



At the end of the event, the EUSA Flag was passed on to the organisers of the next European Universities 3x3 Basketball Championship, which will be in 2019 in Porto, Portugal; while 3x3 will also be featured next year at the European Universities Games in Coimbra.

For more information and results, please see www.3x3basketball2017.eusa.eu.