August the 9th, 2024 – Croatian 3X3 basketball tournaments have been proving a hit throughout the summer in multiple locations across the country.
Over the hot summer weekend of July the 12th and 13th, the centre of Zagreb, Croatia’s capital and largest city, played host to a spectacular tournament in 3×3 basketball at King Tomislav Square in front of the main train station building.
Despite the high temperatures, the tournament was played in front of full stands as quality teams from throughout Europe competed across three categories – Elite Men’s, U-19 Men’s, and Women’s Open. Alongside the competitive programme, the crowds were treated to extra entertainment including a Kids’ Day, prize games for spectators, and some stand-up comedy from popular local comic Goran Vugrinec Goc.
This was otherwise the eighth tournament in this year’s PRO 3×3 Tour 2024 driven by Opel, a series of spectacular international tournaments held across 10 beautiful Croatian locations between May the 10th and August the 17th. Previous locations have included the island of Hvar, as well as Trogir and Umag on the Adriatic coast, followed by Zabok in Istria and two locations in the eastern region of Slavonia.
The tournament tour is once again being organised by the PRO 3×3 Association with the support of several partners, associates and sponsors creating a unique and competitive event at the intersection of sport, tourism, and education. The winners of each tournament will secure not only a cash prize, but points with which each of them hope to qualify for a spot in the grand final. That will be held in Šibenik on the 16th to the 17th of August.
The new, fast-paced and dynamic Olympic sport first appeared at the Tokyo games held back in 2021, but is currently being played in front of Olympic crowds for the first time at Paris 2024. The sport is the fastest growing urban sport in the world, a fact proven by the large crowds creating excellent atmospheres all over Croatia throughout the duration of this tour.
This level of excitement was recognised by the Croatian Ministry of Tourism and Sport, which once again included the event among its funded top international sporting competitions. It also garnered further funding from the Croatian National Tourist Board.
The ninth and final qualifying tournament will be held from August the 9th to the 10th in the beautiful Slavonian town of Nova Gradiška. Many surprises are being prepared for this free and must-see event, which is doubly true for the grand final scheduled to take place in Šibenik. More detailed information about this year’s tour can be found in English and Croatian here, as well as on social media.
