The 2026 season has been nothing short of extraordinary for European university 3x3 basketball, culminating in a historic four-medal haul at the 2026 FISU University World Cup 3x3 Basketball in Macao, China, held from October 23 to 25, 2026.

This global triumph is the direct result of a fiercely contested qualification pathway that began earlier this summer at the European Universities Games (EUG) Salerno 2026.

But first, a recap of what happened from July 29 to August 1, 2026, when the University of Salerno served as the vibrant epicentre of European university sports, where elite men’s and women’s 3x3 basketball teams battled not only for continental supremacy but also for coveted qualification tickets to the FISU World Cup. In the women’s division, Lithuania's Vytautas Magnus University clinched the European crown after overcoming the University of Ljubljana in the final, with the University of Seville rounding out the podium. Meanwhile, in the men’s competition, the University of Seville captured the gold medal after a masterclass performance, defeating the University of Vienna in a tense final, while the University of Latvia claimed the bronze.

Carrying the momentum and pride of EUSA, Europe's qualified representatives travelled to Macao, China, for the 2026 FISU University World Cup 3x3, hosted from October 23 to 25. Staged at the iconic Ruins of St. Paul’s - a UNESCO World Heritage site transformed into a stunning heritage basketball court - the tournament brought together the finest university teams from 17 countries. Over three days of intense group-stage battles, play-ins, and high-stakes knockout rounds, European student-athletes proved their mettle against global powerhouses, ultimately securing four magnificent medals.

The men's tournament reached its climax with a thrilling all-European gold-medal showdown between Vytautas Magnus University (LTU) and the University of Latvia (LAT), where the Lithuanian squad triumphed 19–15 to claim the World Cup Gold Medal, leaving the University of Latvia to proudly take home the Silver Medal. The bronze medal went to Huaqiao University (CHN).

In the women's division, the University of Ljubljana (SLO) delivered a stellar campaign to capture a prestigious Silver Medal after a tightly contested 16–14 battle against Peking University (CHN), while Vytautas Magnus University (LTU) added a second global medal to their institution's stellar year by securing the Bronze Medal.

The championship concluded on October 25 with vibrant Medal and Closing Ceremonies against the breathtaking backdrop of the Ruins of St. Paul’s. This historic four-medal haul stands as a testament to the exceptional standard of European university basketball and the seamless, enduring collaboration between EUSA and FISU, ensuring that triumphs on European campuses translate directly into unforgettable global success.

Photo and information credits: FISU website

For more information on the FISU University World Cup 3x3 Basketball in Macau, China, please see: fisu.net