Amsterdam edges Paris in overtime to win FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final 2024

Worthy de Jong came up clutch as Amsterdam defeated Paris 22-20 in overtime to win its first FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final in Hong Kong, China, on Sunday (24 November).

The Dutchman led his side into overtime with a one-point shot to tie the game at 20-20 before shattering French hearts for the second time this year after pulling the exact same move to win the gold medal for the Netherlands over France at Paris 2024.

The showdown in Victoria Park was, in essence, a 'rematch' of the Olympic final with several of the medallists on the half-court. And just like the gold medal game at La Place de le Concorde, it was the French primarily in the driving seat for much of regulation time.

After the initial trade of blows, a pair of two-point shots from Franck Seguela and Paul Djoko helped propel Paris to an early six-point lead. They rebuffed much of the Dutchmen's defensive efforts to hold onto the advantage but Amsterdam refused to let up, clawing the scoreline back to 15-15.

At 19-19, it had for a moment seemed as if Paris had clinched the win after Seguela's two-point attempt cleared the basket. But a challenge from Amsterdam revealed the Frenchman's foot had just touched the line of the 'D' ending premature celebrations.

Instead, for the second time this year, the French were forced to settle for second-best at the hands of De Jong.

"It's almost written in the stars," the World Tour and Olympic 'MVP' reflected after.

Amsterdam's win caps a special year for the Netherlands who will close out 2024 with the World Tour Final and Olympic men's gold.

It was the first time since 2016 that a Serbian team did not contest with reigning champions Ub elimiated in the quarter-finals by Amsterdam.