The future is bright for GB despite FIBA U17 3×3 Europe Cup exit
Great Britain battled proudly but lost their Pool A games in the FIBA U17 3×3 Europe Cup in Crete, Greece, on Saturday.
Despite the 22-12 loss to number one ranked side Germany and 17-11 defeat to eighth-seeded Portugal, head coach Caitlyn Riley was satisfied with how her team competed.
“I am so proud of the girls for their effort and hustle throughout the two games,” she said.
“Ultimately it’s not the result any of us wanted but I think the girls should hold their heads high for achieving a great accomplishment of putting GB on the map and getting to the Europe Cup Finals.
“This is an incredible achievement and they can proudly say that they did that.
“They have all had a valuable learning experience through this whole process and have become role models for the next generation of talent for years to come.
The future is bright for 3X3 in GB and these girls have helped set that benchmark.”
Great Britain competed with the Germans, who boast a roster stacked with elite junior 3×3 talent, but unfortunately, foul trouble and missed free throws (1/5) were GB’s undoing.
GB hung around for the majority, but an 8-1 German run saw the top-seeded team through.
Katie Cox led GB with four points, with Esther Kursite-Kobri and Valerie Cassidy-De Falco each going for three points.
Johanna Huppertz led Germany with 10.
It was win or go home against Portugal, who had also lost to Germany earlier in the day, and even though GB – through Cox – got on the board first, they were ambushed by a 9-0 Portugal run.
Great Britain’s determination and energy came back, and they responded with a 5-0 run to stay in touch, but thanks to nine points from Maria Andorinho, Portugal secured the win.
Kursite-Kobri paced GB with a tournament-high five points, all under the basket, as she caused issues for the Portuguese defence all game long.
Zoe Sharpe added three points; however, as GB finished winless in two games, they were eliminated but proud of how far they have come in the 3×3 format.
“Although we didn’t get the final results that we wanted, we pushed hard to the end and we still have lots to learn,” Cox said.
“We are proud of what we have achieved throughout this tournament, this is only the beginning of GB’s 3×3 journey. It’s been an incredible experience here in Crete and also a brilliant event to see some of the top 3×3 talents around.”