Latvia’s men reclaimed the title they lost to Lithuania a year earlier, while the Netherlands’ women defended their crown for a third straight year.
Latvia men’s national team triumph
Latvia went unbeaten across five matches to take the men’s title, opening with a group-stage win over defending champions Lithuania in a field packed with contenders. Guard Nauris Miezis anchored the roster through the knockout rounds, while Kristaps Gluditis, who scored 32 points, was named tournament MVP as Latvia advanced to the final and lifted the trophy. It’s Latvia’s second continental title, the first coming in 2017, also staged in Antwerp.
The Netherlands took silver after a strong playoff run of its own, finishing second in the group stage before beating Germany 16-14 in the quarterfinal and Serbia 20-14 in the semifinal. Latvia proved too strong in the final, closing it out 19-10.
France finished third, beating Serbia 21-14 in the bronze-medal match after falling 17-15 to Latvia in the semifinal.
The Netherlands’ golden hat-trick
The Netherlands’ women went 5-0 to retain their title, beating Czechia 21-3 and Slovenia 19-15 before a 16-13 final win over Spain. Noortje Driessen led the tournament in scoring with 44 points and was named MVP. The result gives the Dutch team three European titles in four years, following wins in 2023 and 2025, and puts it clear of the rest of the field in women’s 3×3 basketball on the continent.
Spain took silver after pushing the champions in the final. Azerbaijan claimed bronze with a 21-18 win over Slovenia, returning to the podium a year after reaching the 2025 final.
World of high-speed sports
The tournament reflected how far 3×3 basketball has traveled from its street-ball roots. FIBA now runs a full international calendar around the format, with 1xBet as a partner supporting the federation’s work to grow the sport and build its fan base worldwide.
Latvia’s win in Antwerp marks its second men’s title in the competition’s history. The Netherlands’ women now hold three of the last four European titles.
