BASKETBALL – BAHRAIN representatives Riffa were yesterday crowned champions of the Varkiza 3x3 International Quest 2025.
The tournament was held in Vari, Greece, and it was part of the Fiba 3x3 World Tour – the premier international street basketball series held in cities worldwide and sanctioned by the International Basketball Federation (Fiba).
Riffa secured their crown after defeating Liman of Serbia 21-12 in the meeting’s final.
Riffa competed in the event with a quartet of Dennis Donkor, Jonas Foerts, Vic Van Oosterwyck, and new addition Andrej Cuyvers. They were presented their winners’ prize by officials after the title-decider.
Their tournament victory earned them a spot in the Lausanne Masters in Switzerland on this year’s Fiba 3x3 World Tour, scheduled to take place August 15 and 16.
Riffa were in a class of their own in last night’s final, going up by double digits early and never wavering. They were red hot from beyond the arc as multiple two-point baskets from Foerts and Donkor gave them a commanding 13-3 advantage. Van Oosterwyck then added to their lead with a driving lay-up, sending the Bahraini outfit well on their way to the win.
A Donkor two-pointer later made it 19-8, and then he scored again with a floater before Foerts secured their 21-point target from the charity stripe. Foerts was later named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Earlier on yesterday’s schedule, Riffa defeated Milan of Italy 20-17 in overtime in the semi-finals. They trailed early and the scores remained close until the game ended tied at 17-all, sending it into the extra session, which would be decided by the first team to score two points.
Riffa missed two free-throws that would have given them the victory, but they still managed to close things out with a Van Oosterwyck lay-up and a Donkor two-pointer.
In yesterday’s quarter-finals, Riffa were impressive 21-15 winners against ANNS Maxbet from Serbia. Riffa led 17-10 and then the Serbians got back to within 15-18. But two Foerts free-throws and a lay-up off a Donkor assist sealed their triumph.
In the tournament’s preliminary round held on Saturday, Riffa won all three of their games en route to topping Pool C with an unbeaten record. They first beat Workon from Greece 21-10, and then ousted Ramat Gan of Israel 21-7. They completed the stage with a 21-12 triumph against Team PL from Poland.
Riffa’s participation in Vari was one of four tournaments they have set for this month on the Fiba 3x3 World Tour.
They next travel to France to compete in the Orleans Challenger, where they will be joined by fellow-Bahraini outfit Seef, who will be making their historic debut on Fiba’s international stage. The meeting will be a qualifier for the Shenzhen Masters in China, set to take place October 4 and 5.
Riffa then also compete in the Prishtina Challenger in Kosovo on July 19 and 20, and then the Jakarta Challenger in Indonesia on July 26 and 27, both of which are qualifiers for the Lausanne Masters.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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