3x3-Basketballer duellieren sich wieder in Wien
After the successful European Championship last year, Vienna is once again hosting 3x3-Basketball these days. At the Masters event of the World Tour, the international elite in the game on one basket will meet from Thursday to Sunday. Austria's representatives want to contribute to the show again in front of the expected lively atmosphere at the historic Heumarkt site.
"A tournament victory is definitely possible. But it will depend a lot on the form of the day. There are certainly eight teams that can win," said Matthias Linortner confidently. His team Vienna is currently ranked fifth in the world. "At the Masters, we haven't achieved much this year except for a third place. Maybe Vienna is the venue where we really get into the swing of things."
Linortner experienced the celebrated European Championship title of the Austrian 3x3 faction in Vienna 2024 from the sidelines (as coach of the women's team) due to an Achilles tendon injury. Two European champions, Nico Kaltenbrunner and Fabio Söhnel, are participating again. Quincy Diggs is expected to bring the show element along with playmaker qualities in his half-court comeback. The officials, including association president Helmut Niederhofer, see the nomination of the naturalized, native American, who recently won the BSL with Oberwart, as also relieving comeback player Linortner.
Vienna with Experience in 3x3-Basketball
3x3 tournaments in Austria have a small but fine tradition. Austria's association prefers to promote organized 3-on-3 basketball as a city spectacle. In 2021 (Olympic Qualifier in Graz), 2022 (European Championship in Graz), 2023 (World Championship in Vienna/Rathausplatz), and 2024 (European Championship in Vienna/Kaiserwiese Prater), Austria has already been a host.
Now, these days at the Heumarkt, where for decades wrestling and recently tennis and beach volleyball fans have gotten their money's worth, basketball is also set to take center stage with free entry in principle. "It is the biggest event for basketball in Austria. For us, it means advertising, advertising, advertising, basketball is on everyone's lips," said ÖBV chief Niederhofer.
Increased Security Measures
Such an event cannot be organized without major sponsors and sports-political support, emphasized Niederhofer. "Let's see how it is received by the public and tourists. I hope that the event in Graz does not deter too many people from going out," said Niederhofer. The security measures were increased again after the rampage in Graz, and some side events prior to the tournament, which is fixed until 2027, were canceled out of respect.
Austria's women come to the federal capital with the high spirits of successful European Championship qualification. Alexia Allesch, Anja Fuchs-Robetin, Rebekka Kalaydjiev, and Sigrid Koizar want to showcase their skills on a big stage in front of up to 3,000 fans. "Having such platforms for women's basketball is extremely important, a step in the right direction," stated Fuchs-Robetin.
Austrian Women Aim for Quarterfinals
First place in Vienna is rewarded with 40,000 (men) and 14,000 (women) US dollars (around 35,000 and 12,250 euros, respectively). The declared sporting goal of the Austrian women is to reach the quarterfinals. "In a do-or-die mode and with the home advantage, anything can happen. We have already shown that we can beat world-class teams," said Fuchs-Robetin.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.