Netherlands U25 Wins First Title With Overtime Comeback
A young Dutch basketball team rallied from five points down to win their first international tournament in Singapore, proving that perseverance pays off. The dramatic overtime victory marks a breakthrough moment for Netherlands U25 in the 3x3 Women's Series.
Down by five points with minutes remaining in the championship game, Netherlands U25 refused to quit and stormed back to defeat Slovenia 16-14 in overtime at the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series stop in Singapore.
The young Dutch squad entered the tournament as the seventh seed with little fanfare. But they steadily worked their way through tougher and tougher competition, knocking off Brazil in the quarterfinals and then upsetting the top-seeded Ulaanbaatar Amazons from Mongolia in the semifinals.
The final against Slovenia looked like it might end in heartbreak. Slovenia dominated most of the game and held a comfortable 12-7 lead with under three minutes left on the clock.
Then something clicked for the Netherlands. They launched a furious 5-1 run that cut Slovenia's lead to just one point with about a minute remaining. Hennie van Schaik stepped up and drained a two-pointer to tie the game at 14-14, forcing overtime.
In the extra period, with both teams exhausted and the pressure mounting, Quinta van Schijndel found her moment. She launched a deep two-pointer that swished through the net, giving Netherlands U25 their first Women's Series title of 2026.
The Ripple Effect
The victory means more than just a trophy for this young Dutch team. At 22 years old, van Schaik earned tournament MVP honors after leading all players with 32 rebounds and finishing second with 27 total points. She showed that age and seeding don't determine outcomes when heart and teamwork take over.
Slovenia also has plenty to celebrate despite coming up just short. Playing in their first FIBA 3x3 Women's Series season, they reached their first final and proved they belong among the world's best. Their runner-up finish signals bright days ahead for the program.
The tournament showcased women's basketball at its finest, with 16 teams from across Asia and beyond competing in Singapore. Both finalists demonstrated that resilience and belief can overcome any deficit, inspiring young athletes watching from home.
Netherlands U25 now carries momentum into the next stop in Baku, Azerbaijan, with renewed confidence and their first championship banner.
Based on reporting by Regional: singapore breakthrough (SG)
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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