FIBA EUROPE 3on3

The Freedom Monument in the city centre of Riga provided a perfect setting for the FIBA Europe 3on3 premiere in the Latvian capital.

Organised in collaboration with the Latvian Basketball Federation, the two-day event concluded on Sunday.

It was not only the first Latvian 3on3 Championship but also the first ever sports event to be held at the popular Freedom Monument.

Five courts were set up at the monument, while the Centre Court in the Old Town was reserved for shooting contests, the dunking contest and the Finals.

The FIBA Europe 3on3 stop in Riga (11-12 August 2012) was the first sports event to be held in front of the Freedom Monument

New Latvian champions were crowned in the following five categories: U16 Girls, U18 Boys, Senior Women, Senior Men and Companies.

72 teams stepped on the court on Saturday and 88 squads were competing on Sunday, eager to finish their campaign on a high note.

After more than 200 games played, the winners were decided, claiming their spot in the history books.

Diverse side events and show acts, including three cheerleader crews and a karate showcase, made the premiere one to remember.

The winners of the U18 Boys, OFWGKTA, received tickets for the U18 3x3 World Championship in Madrid, while the first-place team in the senior men's category, BK Jelgava, will go to the 3x3 World Championship in Athens.

Karlis Apsitis put on the best show to win the dunking contest, while Latvia international Janis Blums captured the title in the three-point contest.

Blums defeated national team coach and former legendary player Ainars Bagatskis in the Semi-Final and downed another Latvian basketball legend in the final, Roberts Stelmahers.

FINAL STANDINGS

U16 Boys
1st place: King Pong
2nd place: Grīziņš
3rd place: Ķeizarmežs

Senior Women
1st place: Rīgas Tehniskā universitāte
2nd place: Vinnijs Pūks
3rd place: Reaļnās Puķes

U18 Boys
1st place: OFWGKTA
2nd place: Paldies
3rd place: Trešā kanna

Senior Men
1st place: BK Jelgava
2nd place: Jūrmala/ Fēnikss
3rd place: BK Valmiera

Companies
1st place: Gemius
2nd place: Tek Group
3rd place: Jelgavas krekli