Rapid Bucharest (Photo FIBA)
Rapid Bucharest of Romania went perfect in Pool B, while France, Netherlands and Neftchi SOCAR of the Netherlands all finished 2-1 in a dramatic three-way tie atop Pool A on the opening day of the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Project Redwings Shanghai Final 2026.
Rapid swept Pool B to earn a direct place in Sunday’s Semi-Finals, while France claimed first place in Pool A on total points ahead of Netherlands and Neftchi. Ulaanbaatar Amazons of Mongolia and Netherlands will face Quarter-Final tests on Sunday, with Beijing of China also advancing from Pool B.
Rapid Bucharest were the standout team in Pool B, overcoming China, Ulaanbaatar Amazons and Beijing to finish the day with a perfect 3-0 record.
Their opening game was a thriller. China appeared to have control for much of the contest, leading 15-11 with two minutes remaining. But Rapid mounted a stunning late comeback, taking a 16-15 lead inside the final minute before holding on for a 17-16 victory. Hortense Limouzin led the way with 8 points as Rapid survived the dramatic finish.
The Romanian side then turned up the pressure against Ulaanbaatar, racing into a 12-5 lead before pulling away for a commanding 21-7 win. Martyna Petrenaite led Rapid with 8 points.
Their final pool game against Beijing was another battle. Beijing were reduced to three players after Wang Xuemeng suffered an injury in their previous game, but continued to fight against the unbeaten Rapid. Beijing stayed within striking distance throughout before Rapid finally pulled away late for a 20-18 victory. Marta Miščenko led Rapid with 9 points.
The perfect record sends Rapid directly into the Semi-Finals, where they will face the winner of Netherlands-Beijing.
Pool A produced one of the most dramatic storylines of the day, with France, Netherlands and Neftchi SOCAR all finishing 2-1. France ultimately emerged on top of the standings on total points, earning a direct Semi-Final berth despite opening the day with a 17-15 defeat to Neftchi.
France bounced back emphatically against Germany, building a commanding 14-8 lead before securing a 21-13 victory. Marie Milapie led the way with 8 points.
That set up a decisive clash with Netherlands. The two teams traded blows throughout a tense contest, with neither able to establish a significant advantage. Netherlands moved ahead 15-14 after an Ilse Kuijt two-pointer, but France responded when Marie Mané hit from beyond the arc to put her team ahead 19-17. Marie-Eve Paget then delivered the decisive blow, knocking down a two-pointer to complete a 21-17 victory.
The result gave France the win they needed to finish 2-1 and take first place in the three-way tie, sending them directly into the Semi-Finals. In the process, the French also ended the Dutch’s win streak at 27 games.
