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Kossuth Square will once again be the venue for world competitions. 

From Saturday, the tenth edition of the 3X3 basketball tournament will be held in the heart of the city. This time, a total of fifty-nine teams will bounce the ball in three international tournaments over nine days. The organisers are expecting a full house and the usual great atmosphere in Debrecen.

“The adult women’s teams will take to the pitch first, followed by the U18 women and men. This will be the last 3×3 World Championship in this age group, as the international federation will change the age groups, so this will also be a curiosity,” the chairman of the organising committee, István Becsky, said.

Next weekend, the nine-day tournament will conclude with the World Tour Masters in Debrecen, featuring professional men’s teams and several Olympians and Olympic champions. 

Twelve teams will now compete in this event. Members of the current U18 age group will turn professional in a few years’ time, so the audience will also be able to meet the stars of the future in the main square. The Hungarian national team will therefore face a very strong field.

“The team is very motivated, the coach has put a lot of work into training us. As a player from Debrecen, I will be playing at home, which will help me a lot,” József Varga, a player of the Hungarian U18 national team, stressed.

Debrecen has been hosting three-on-three tournaments since 2015, and this will be the tenth time in a row that the best of the game will meet in front of the Reformed Great Church. 

This event alone brings six thousand night visitors to the city. According to Diána Széles, Deputy Mayor of Debrecen, this also shows the close cooperation between the city and the International Basketball Federation. “And it is important for us because it encourages young people to play basketball and sports,” she said.

To mark the anniversary, the organisers will continue to offer free entry and a number of gifts. Visitors to the main square can also meet the 3×3 themed flower cart during the event. 

Source: Debrecen.hu