Australian women win 3X3 Bronze at World Championships

The Australian women's team have defeasted the Ukraine to win a bronze medal at the inaugural FIBA 3X3 World Championship.

The Australian women’s team clinched the bronze medal at the inaugural FIBA 3X3 World Championships in Athens, Greece overnight, defeating the Ukraine 18-17 in the third-fourth playoff.

The Australian team of Alice Kunek, Katie Ebzery, Tess Madgen and Sara Blicavs lost just one game all tournament, their Semi-Final clash with the eventual tournament winners the United States which they dropped 19-18.

The Australians bounced back however to beat the Ukraine and win the bronze at the first-ever FIBA World Championship for the new format 3-on-3 game.

"All four of these athletes did their country proud in the way in which they conducted themselves throughout the championships, playing with passion but always with integrity," said Australian head coach Rebecca Dick.  "In what was a very different format of competition from anything any of these ladies had ever participated in, they were adaptable to every scenario that was brought upon them.

"Coming away from the inaugural 3x3 world championship with a bronze medal is a fantastic achievement and something that I am very grateful to have been a part of."

Team USA beat France to win the gold medal in the final, 17-16.

Australia finished the tournament with an impressive 8-1 record.

For full details on the tournament, visit http://greece2012.fiba.com/.