Israel and Italy qualify for FIBA 3x3 Nations League Final 2022 after winning Europe South Conference

BUCHAREST (Romania) - Israel (men's) and a dominant Italy (women's) wrapped up the FIBA 3x3 Nations League 2022 Europe South Conference on August 5-7 to book tickets to the Nations League Final in Constanta, Romania, on September 14-16. 

In the highly competitive men's draw, Israel were in a dogfight but gained a crucial victory in Stop 5 and their consistency throughout the competition - with stops 1-3 being held in Tel Aviv on May 30-June 1 - was the difference. 

Israel never finished lower than third and that was enough to edge past second-placed Italy and the conference top scorer Michele Serpilli, who fell just 10 points short after winning the sixth and final stop. 

19-year-old Shoham Gat was dynamic with an array of sick inside and outside moves to be a player to watch in the future. 

In the women's, Italy were in pole position after a strong first three stops but they lifted their game to new heights with a trio of victories in Bucharest.

The Italians were irresistible in an unbeaten run to finish a whopping 110 points clear of second-placed Romania, who finished runner-up in each of the three stops at home. 

Towering Sara Madera was impossible to stop (9.3 points per game!) when she had a full head of steam to lead Italy into the Final.

Standings