Spectacle and new connections during (regional) finals 3x3 Street League
If the national finals (category above 18 years) and the regional finals (all age categories under 18 years) of the 3x3 Street League proved anything, it's that the Street League is about much more than just basketball. Many matches were exciting until the last moment. But equally special were the new connections that were made off the court.
During the national finals and regional finals, teams from different cities competed against each other. 'It's beautiful to see that through 3x3 basketball we bring people from places like Groningen and Zwolle together', says Egor Fomin, coordinator of the 3x3 Street League. 'This way we further expand our community.'
The national finals in the 18 years and older category took place last weekend in the Paper Dome in Amsterdam. The regional finals were held on the weekend of June 13 and 14 in Hilversum, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Amsterdam, Groningen, and Amstelveen. And in every city there were several nerve-wracking matches, where the score remained tied for a long time, players pushed each other to the limit, and the audience held their breath.
Egor points to the regional finals in the above 18 category in Groningen, between the Home Court Heroes and Big Ballers. 'The teams were incredibly evenly matched and pushed each other to a higher level. They really gave everything, simply because they wanted to win. That was truly beautiful to see.'
That passion and drive was evident even in the youngest category (under 13 years), Egor observed. 'That's what makes the Street League so beautiful', he says. 'Teams come from different cities, have different playing styles and players have different backgrounds, but they have one thing in common: the love for 3x3 basketball.'
Just like during the preliminary rounds, the organization of the national finals and regional finals was also in the hands of the 3X3 Leaders: young people who have completed the 3X3 Leader Course from 3X3 Unites. 'That also means that sometimes not everything went smoothly, but well, it's not the NBA either. In the end we sorted it out', says Egor.
According to him, it's also the charm of the Street League, the most accessible 3x3 basketball competition in the Netherlands, which teams can participate in for free. 'If I were the President of the Street League, the slogan would be: 'Organized by the street for the street'. Not everything has to be perfect.'
The regional winners in the under 13 (mixed), under 15 and under 18 categories qualified for the National Championships 3x3, which will be held on July 26 and 27 in Amsterdam. The teams in the +18 category already played the national finals last weekend in the Paper Dome.
Ultimately, team STARBORN took the victory among the men. Together with the women's winners, team Katwijk, they get to participate in the fourth stop of the 3x3 Pro League, during the Vunzige Deuntjes Festival on July 5.
