This year, the organization of challenger tournaments was given to 14 world cities.
For the first time ever, Lipik, the smallest host city of the international streetball tour, will host the famous global Malbee 3×3 Challenger 2016, to be held on 8 and 9 July. This exceptional sport event was presented in Zagreb with an aim to send a message to the entire the world which will be able to follow the tournament, reports wish.hr on June 21, 2016.
Lipik was given this status at the beginning of the year by FIBA, the international basketball organization. FIBA has entrusted the Libox Lipik Association with the organization of the Challenger Tournament, thus acknowledging the past 17 years of successful organization of streetball in the town. This year, the Challenger tournament organization was given to 14 world cities. So, Lipik has found itself in the selected company of Moscow, Bucharest, Copenhagen, Tallinn, Lugano, The Hague, Sibiu, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Abidjan, Abu Dhabi, Penang and Chengdu. It is also the only city in Croatia and among the countries in the region that has been awarded this prestigious status.
Sixteen of the world’s best street basketball teams will participate at the Challenger in Lipik, at least 12 of them at the invitation of the world basketball federation, it was announced at the presentation of Malbée Lipik 3×3 Challenger Tournament that was organized in Zagreb.
Lipik’s tournament is the longest-running in Croatia. “In the past 17 years, we have gained extensive experience when it comes to the organization, preparation, planning, and logistics. In the last three years, the tournament has had an international character and, according to many, ours is the strongest tournament in this part of Europe. For the entire week ahead of 8 July we have planned a series of competitive and entertaining events, including a basketball school for children, tournaments for amateurs and children, after-parties and a special concert on 9 July”, said Ivan Pušćenik, the president of the organizing committee of the tournament.
