Manama Ignites for 3x3 World Tour Final

Bahrain’s Youth Teams Shine with U21 Gulf Titles Ahead of Manama Final

The curtain is set to rise on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final in Manama as the sport’s leading teams arrive in Bahrain for the decisive stop of the 2025 season. The competition takes place today and tomorrow, 21–22 November, at the striking Manama Harbor. and entry is free for all to enjoy.

The event follows a historic weekend at the same venue, where Bahrain’s U21 men’s and women’s teams were crowned champions of the Gulf Championship after their exceptional performances. On the women’s side, the team overcame Kuwait 21-5 in the semifinals, benefiting from consistent play and standout performances such as Aya Kamali’s four two-point shots from beyond the arc. In the final, Bahrain dominated Qatar 21-8 to claim their first-ever U21 Gulf Championship title. Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Bayan Salman reflected on the win: “Everyone showed up on both ends of the floor. We wanted to build a big gap and control the game, and we did exactly that. It’s unforgettable for us, and it shows the upcoming talent in women’s basketball here.” Her leadership on the court, directing teammates and leading by example, was key to the team’s success.

The men’s team also delivered exceptional performances. Team B advanced to the final after a close 17-16 win over Oman, then defeated Qatar by four points to win the inaugural edition of the Gulf Championship. Meanwhile, Team A secured third place by defeating Oman B following their semifinal loss to Qatar. These achievements highlight Bahrain’s strong presence at the youth and women’s levels, affirming the success of the national 3x3 program.

Earlier in the day, anticipation for the 3x3 World Tour Final surged at a press conference featuring Bahrain Basketball Association President H.E. Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Tourism Minister H.E. Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, and FIBA 3x3 Director Alex Sanchez. Shaikh Mohammed, appointed BBA president in September, described 2025 as a landmark year for 3x3 basketball, highlighting both Bahrain’s ability to host major events and the sport’s rapid growth alongside traditional 5x5 basketball. He also pointed to Bahrain’s bronze medal at the Asian Youth Games and the increasing interest across boys’ and girls’ programmes. With home teams Riffa and Seef set to participate this weekend, he emphasized that these developments represent an important step in strengthening the national pathway for basketball talent.

The Manama Final will feature 14 teams divided into four pools, with Bahrain’s Riffa and Seef joining Serbia’s Ub and Austria’s Vienna in Pool A. Ub enter as the top seed after a dominant regular season, having established themselves as the team to beat. Pool B includes Miami (USA), while Pool C features defending champions Amsterdam RABOBANK (NED) alongside Lithuania’s Raudondvaris Hoptrans, rounding out a highly competitive field. Star players such as Strahinja Stojacic (Ub), Henry Caruso (Miami), and Worthy de Jong (Amsterdam RABOBANK) bring individual firepower, but local teams Riffa and Seef will be eager to make their mark on home soil.

📅 Tournament Schedule

Pool A

• UB vs Vienna — 3:10 PM

• UB vs Riffa — 5:05 PM

• Riffa vs Vienna — 7:30 PM

Pool B

• Miami vs Hangzhou — 3:05 PM

• Miami vs Chongming — 5:30 PM

• Chongming vs Hangzhou — 7:55 PM

Pool C

• Amsterdam Rabobank vs Partizan — 4:00 PM

• Amsterdam vs Raudondvaris Hoptrans — 6:05 PM

• Raudondvaris Hoptrans vs Partizan — 8:30 PM

Pool D

• Liman vs Qualification Draw Winner — 4:35 PM

• Liman vs Toulouse — 6:30 PM

• Toulouse vs Qualification Draw Winner — 8:55 PM

🏆 Saturday Finals Day

• Quarter-finals — 4:10 PM

• Semi-finals — 7:00 PM

• Dunk Contest — 8:00 PM

• Final — 8:30 PM