GB Women set to compete in FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup

GB Women will begin their FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup campaign on 6 September in Copenhagen, Denmark, as they look to make waves in their first appearance at the continent’s top-level competition.

Georgia Gayle, Cheridene Green, Cavina Rickards, and Sydney Tamara-Nicole Wallace will line up for GB as they take on Hungary and Spain in Pool C.

GB won all four of their qualification games back in June, kickstarting an exciting summer of 3x3 basketball for Head Coach Krumesh Patel’s side.

Playing in Slovakia, GB’s Wallace dominated the qualifiers, leading all scorers with 35 points across the four games.

Speaking to GB Basketball, Wallace said, “Headed into the Europe Cup in Denmark, our run back in June in the qualifiers was a testament to the hard work & resilience of the team.

“Now our focus turns to building on that momentum against Europe’s best.

“The qualifiers showed that we belong at this level, and we are excited to test ourselves on the next stage. We know the competition will be fierce, but we’re confident in our preparation and determined to represent Great Britain with pride.”

Wallace led all scorers with 35 points at the Slovakia branch of the Europe Cup Qualifiers

GB competed at their inaugural 3x3 Women’s Series tournament in July.

Here, in Sumqayit, Azerbaijan, GB played their way through two qualifying fixtures to reach the Pool Stage, establishing themselves amongst the elites of 3x3 basketball.

Sharpshooter Sam Ashby and talented guard Gayle led GB in scoring in this one.

Next stop for GB, Edmonton, Canada, where GB entered the competition directly into the Pool Stage.

GB reached the quarter-finals of the tournament, suffering a narrow defeat to the hosts and eventual winners Canada, 17-15.

In GB’s final stop of the Women’s Series this summer, they travelled to Bordeaux, France, where they would play two qualifying fixtures.

Ashby and Gayle drove GB’s offensive efforts, but GB failed to qualify for the Pool Stage. They split their two qualifying games, defeating Portugal but losing to Thailand.

Rickards has become a staple of GB's 3x3 team

Having enjoyed a perfect Europe Cup qualification campaign, GB have been drawn into Pool C, where they will take on Hungary and Spain.

They will tip off the competition at 12:00 pm (BST) on 6 September against Hungary, before taking on Spain at 3:00 pm (BST) later that same day.

Coach Patel has selected a squad, full of experience and talent, to travel to Copenhagen:

Georgia Gayle - Sheffield Hatters

Nina Rickards - Unattached

Cheridene Green - Elitzur Ramla (Israel)

Sydney Wallace - Nesibe Aydin GSK (Turkey)

Wallace dominated in the Europe Cup Qualifiers back in June, leading all scorers in the tournament with 35 points, and proving herself as one of the top players in the sport.

Green is an experienced forward, an adept scorer in the paint and an excellent defensive force.

Rickards has enjoyed a positive 3x3 campaign across the summer, consistently featuring on Coach Patel’s side. Her crafty handle and ability to drive into the paint will prove essential in GB’s efforts to defeat the continent’s best.

Georgia Gayle is another highly experienced and highly talented guard who adds scoring and playmaking to a quality GB side.

GB won all four games at Europe Cup Qualifiers

GB will face tough competition in third-seeded Spain and sixth sixth-seeded Hungary.

Spain competed in the final stop of the Women’s Series out in Debrecen, Hungary, where they claimed victory in the final against the Czech Republic on 30 August.

With the wind firmly in their sails, GB will have to be at their best to secure a result in their fixture.

Hungary qualified for and competed in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in June. They reached the play-in stage of the competition, defeating Austria and Canada in the pool stage, but fell to the Netherlands, and progressed no further.

To watch GB play, tune in to the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel, which will livestream the games.