Powerhouse Raudondvaris Hoptrans take out FIBA 3x3 Sansar Challenger 2024

SANSAR (Mongolia) - Powerhouse Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU) claimed their third title of the season after taking out the FIBA 3x3 Sansar Challenger 2024 on September 8. 

Here's what happened in the 15th Challenger of the season.

The winner: Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU)

After falling short twice in a row, including at the Lausanne Masters, the lethal Lithuanians claimed their first title since June. 

Raudondvaris Hoptrans were pushed to the limit on Day One after edging Zavkhan SAINSCORE (MGL) before falling narrowly to Dusseldorf LFDY (GER). 

But they did enough to qualify to the knockouts, where Raudondvaris held on for dear life against Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL). Superstar Aurelijus Pukelis was on fire against rising Utrecht (NED) in the semis with 9 points and 6 rebounds as Raudondvaris clinched a tough 21-18 dub.

The Lithuanians saved their best for last with a commanding win over Liman (SRB) as Pukelis scored a game-high 8 points to walk off with the MVP. 

 

The runner-up: Liman (SRB)

Legendary Liman came close to a fourth title of the season after another impressive tournament. 

They started well by defeating Selenge Bodons (MGL) and Utrecht in pool play before Aleksa Stojanovic was too hot for St Pauli (GER) to handle with 9 points and 6 highlights. 

Liman faced a hurricane in the form of Leon Fertig in the semis, as Dusseldorf LFDY proved formidable opposition. But the Serbs held their nerve in a thriller before running out of gas in the final. 

Stojanovic starred for Liman to finish No.3 player value (37) and points (30).

 

The Final: Raudondvaris Hoptrans 22-Liman 14

There was a lot of anticipation over a match-up of powerhouses who have played each other many times before. 

The Lithuanians meant business with Modestas Kumpys - known more for his aerial feats - scoring an early two followed by a long ball from Aurelijus Pukelis. 

Liman needed to answer and Aleksa Stojanovic stepped up by going bang, bang to continue his red-hot form. The teams went shot for shot as nothing separated them at the midpoint before the Lithuanians took over with an 8-1 run. 

The Serbs threatened a trademark comeback, but Raudondvaris was on fire from deep with scoring machine Evaldas Dziaugys fittingly finishing it off with another sizzling shot from downtown. 

 

The reward: Three tickets to the Abu Dhabi Masters

Raudondvaris Hoptrans, Liman and Dusseldorf LFDY qualified to the Abu Dhabi Masters on October 26-27.

Final Standings:
1. Raudondvaris Hoptrans (LTU)
2. Liman (SRB)
3. Dusseldorf LFDY (GER)
4. Utrecht (NED)
5. Partizan Meta Force (SRB)

Top Scorers:
1. Leon Fertig (Dusseldorf LFDY, GER) 39 pts
2. Aurelijus Pukelis (Raudondvaris Hoptrans, LTU) 37 pts
3. Aleksa Stojanovic (Liman, SRB) 30 pts 
4. Mihailo Vasic (Liman, SRB) 28 pts
5. Evaldas Dziaugys (Raudondvaris Hoptrans, LTU) 28 pts

Key Stats:
- Young St Pauli sensation Fabian Giessmann had a monster 10 points and 6 highlights against Sansar (MGL) on Day One. 
- Bucket getter Leon Fertig had an insane 15 points in Dusseldorf LFDY's quarter-final win over Princeton (USA). 
- Princeton's 21-5 thrashing of Nishinomiya Epic (JPN) on Day One was the fastest game of the tournament at 6'26" of playing time.  

FIBA