Spain and the Netherlands clinched their first-ever FIBA 3x3 World Cup titles on Sunday after a dramatic final day in Ulaanbaatar, capping off a week of high-intensity basketball that drew more than 50,000 fans to the Mongolian capital.
In the men's final, Spain defeated Switzerland 21-17 behind a dominant performance from Diego De Blas, who knocked down four two-pointers and set the early tone for the Spaniards. De Blas gave Spain a 10-5 lead just three minutes into the contest, and continued to shine on both ends of the court.
With 2:21 remaining, De Blas brought Spain to the brink of victory before Iván Aurrecoechea sealed the win with a powerful dunk — a moment that etched Spain's name into 3x3 history with its first World Cup crown.
The women’s final saw the Netherlands overcome host nation Mongolia, who had captured hearts with their underdog run to the championship game. Led by world No. 1 Noortje Driessen, the Dutch squad applied relentless defensive pressure and built a commanding lead. A step-back two-pointer from Driessen pushed the margin to eight with three minutes left, all but sealing Mongolia’s fate.
Despite a late push and their first two-pointer of the game with just 90 seconds on the clock, the home side couldn’t close the gap. The Netherlands held firm to claim their maiden title, confirming their status as the world’s top-ranked team.
The 2025 edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup delivered unforgettable moments and milestone victories, setting a new benchmark for the sport’s global rise.
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