Dutch 3×3 basketball players have many chances to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris next year. As European champions, women may participate in three qualifying tournaments, and men in at least two.
The Orange men were ranked world No. 5 last season and can therefore participate in the first qualifying tournament in April. Eight countries participate, and only the winner qualifies for the Games. The next opportunity will come in May, in a sixteen-nation tournament. The top three teams qualify.
Serbia, the United States and China have already qualified for the 3×3 Olympic Basketball Tournament as the top ranked countries. Furthermore, only Latvia performed better than the Dutch men. If Latvia qualifies for the Games through the first tournament, the Dutch team may participate in a third qualifying tournament. The exact dates of the tournaments will be announced at a later date.
Women participate in the same two tournaments as men, and as European champions, they also compete in the tournament with the seven champions from other regions.
“The men have performed well all year in various international tournaments,” says Brian Benjamin, head coach of the Dutch Basketball Association. “As European champions, the women have proven that they belong at the absolute global summit. We have no doubt that both teams have very good chances of qualifying for the Games.”
The men finished fifth in Tokyo two years ago. Then discipline appeared in the program for the first time. Women did not participate at that time.
