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From Australia-Japan women to the six „Olympic Ticket” games, FIBA announced the schedule of the 94 matches, which will be played at the FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Graz, Austria on May 26-30, 2021.
With just one month to go before the event, the 40 participating teams know the exact path to make history and be in Tokyo for 3×3’s Olympic debut.
The first four days and a total of 80 games will be dedicated to pool play. Each team will play four times and the top two teams in each pool will advance to the knock-out rounds on the final day (May 30).
The final day will start with the eight quarter-finals (4 in each gender) and then reach a climax with the six „Olympic Ticket” games (four semi-finals and two third-place games). The winners of these six games will stamp their ticket to Japan.
USA v Lithuania (May 27 – 2:10 PM)
Can you imagine hoops in the Olympics without mighty USA? Well 3×3 is different and the USA have to do it the hard way starting with a tough Pool B, where their toughest matchup is set to be against Lithuania.
The rivals have played numerous classics in Olympic basketball over the years and you can bet 3×3 will be no different with another epic in store in Graz.
The USA men’s team had somewhat struggled in international 3×3 until they memorably claimed the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2019, where Robbie Hummel staked a claim for being the best player in the world.
The red, white and blue have loads of talent with the likes of Kareem Maddox, Canyon Barry and Dominique Jones being stars in their own right.
Europe Cup 2019 bronze medalist Lithuania, however, won’t be intimidated with a whole bunch of proven players powering Sakiai and Utena Uniclub into formidable teams on the World Tour.
Buckle up, USA-Lithuania is always a wild ride.
