Lithuania outplayed Belgium and opened the World Cup with a convincing victory in Warsaw
The Lithuanian men's national team achieved an important victory at the start of the competition in Group D of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026, defeating Belgium by a score of 21:14 in a match played on 02 June 2026 in Warsaw. The competition is being held in the capital of Poland from 1 to 7 June and brings together the world's best national teams in the increasingly popular discipline of three-on-three basketball.
The result against Belgium showed the strength of the Lithuanian national team, which kept control over the rhythm of play throughout the entire encounter. Although Belgium tried on several occasions to reduce the deficit and bring uncertainty back into the match, the Lithuanians maintained stability in attack and, with efficient finishes, concluded the duel before the end of regular time, which is a common occurrence in 3x3 basketball when one team is the first to reach 21 points.
Control of the match from the very beginning
The Belgian national team entered the encounter with the ambition of surprising one of the traditionally stronger European sides in this discipline. However, from the opening minutes Lithuania imposed aggressive defense and a high intensity of play. Such an approach enabled the creation of an advantage that gradually increased during the match.
Lithuanian efficiency in transition was especially visible, as was the ability to exploit space after the opponent's turnovers. The Belgians tried to respond with long-range shots and quick plays after winning possession, but they were unable to establish the continuity needed for a more serious comeback in the match.
In the closing stages of the duel, Lithuania further raised the level of play and used several key attacks to reach the final 21:14. The seven-point difference says enough about the balance of power on the court during most of the encounter.
Important points in Group D
According to the official schedule and results of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026, the match between Belgium and Lithuania was part of the competition in Group D, one of the more competitive groups of the tournament. The same group also includes France, Brazil and Puerto Rico, which further increases the importance of every victory in the fight for a place in the knockout stage.
The victory against Belgium gave Lithuania strong initial momentum. On the same day, the Lithuanians continued with very good performances and showed that they had not arrived at the championship only with the goal of advancing from the group, but also with the ambition of joining the battle for the very top of the competition. Data published after the second competition day showed that Lithuania was among the most successful national teams in Group D in terms of the number of victories and points scored.
For Belgium, the defeat meant the need for a quick recovery and better results in the remaining encounters. In the short tournament format that characterizes the World Cup in 3x3 basketball, every match carries great weight, and one poor result can significantly complicate the path toward the final stage.
The specific features of 3x3 basketball further increase the uncertainty
FIBA 3x3 basketball has recorded strong international growth in recent years, and since being included in the Olympic Games program, it has further increased its popularity among spectators and national federations. Unlike classic five-on-five basketball, matches are played on one basket, with three players on the court and one substitute team member.
Duels last ten minutes or until the moment when one team scores 21 points. Such a system brings an extremely dynamic rhythm and often very uncertain finishes. Precisely because of this, national teams that manage to impose their style of play from the beginning, as Lithuania did against Belgium, often gain a significant advantage.
Speed of decision-making, physical readiness and shooting accuracy are key elements of success. Lithuania demonstrated exactly these characteristics in this encounter, while Belgium had problems maintaining the necessary level of efficiency throughout the entire duel.
Warsaw hosts the world showcase
This year's World Cup is being held in Warsaw, which during the first week of June is the center of world 3x3 basketball. The tournament brings together a total of 40 national teams in the men's and women's competitions, and the competition lasts from 1 to 7 June 2026. The organizers expect great public interest, while FIBA continues to invest in the development of a format that attracts an ever-growing number of fans around the world.
In recent years, Poland has hosted several major basketball events, and hosting the World Cup in the 3x3 discipline is considered another step in promoting the sport at the European level. The city of Warsaw itself is adapted to the concept of an urban sports festival that accompanies such competitions, so in addition to the matches, numerous accompanying activities for spectators are also being held.
Lithuania among the national teams targeting the final stage
Lithuanian basketball has a long tradition of success, and in recent years the country has also achieved notable results in the 3x3 format. Continuous work on developing specialized players for this discipline has enabled Lithuania to regularly be among the national teams competing for high placements at European and world competitions.
The match against Belgium showed that the team possesses the necessary quality for the challenges that follow. Especially important was the ability to maintain concentration throughout the entire encounter and to finish efficiently in key moments.
On the other hand, Belgium will seek an opportunity for redemption against the other opponents in the group as the competition continues. Despite the defeat, the competition is still only in its initial phase, and the championship format leaves room for turnarounds and changes in the standings.
After a convincing 21:14 against Belgium, Lithuania sent a clear message to the competition that it had not come to Warsaw merely to participate. If it maintains the level of play shown in this encounter, it could remain one of the more serious candidates for a place in the final stages of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026.
Sources:
- FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026 – official schedule and results of Group D matches (link)
- FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026 – official competition page and tournament overview (link)
- Olympics.com – World Cup overview, schedule and group standings (link)