The official opening ceremony of the FISU University World Cup 3×3 Basketball – Brasília 2025 took place on Friday 14 November 2025 at the TV Tower Esplanade, with the 24 participating teams to the audience. Right after, the group Start Family Crew took over the specially built arena and kicked off the program with a breakdance performance.
The opening games featured the host nation: the Brazilian women’s team, from Universidade Paulista (UNIP), started the day facing Huazhong University of Science and Technology (China). Next came the men’s matchup between UNIP and the University of Seville (Spain).
TIGHT CLOSE GAMES
The day delivered breath-taking 3×3 basketball from start to finish. One of the most thrilling clashes was the women’s duel between Carleton University (Canada) and the University of Valencia (Spain). The match was tight from the first possession to the last, with the Spanish team applying strong defensive pressure and the Canadians responding immediately. In the end, Carleton’s women secured a hard-earned 19–17 victory.
“It was a very tough match. The University of Valencia’s women’s team is really strong, so we watched a lot of film to prepare. We came here to play our game, but also to learn from the other teams,” said Carleton athlete Tatyanna Burke.
On the men’s side, the matchup Spain vs. Iran delivered exactly the intensity the crowd expected. The University of Seville won 21–17 in a fast-paced match decided by small details. Competing in a world tournament for the first time, Spanish player Juan Manuel Cebolla highlighted that their team’s strength begins off the court. “We’re a team that loves basketball, but we also just like being together. We’ve been friends for many years. When we’re happy, we win,” he said.
He also shared his hope for a rematch against Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania). “We lost to them in the semi-finals of last year’s European championship, and I want to face them again.”
Another crowd favourite was the men’s showdown between the University of Valencia (Spain) and the University of Chile— a game marked by constant lead changes, ties, fast responses, and an unpredictable final outcome. It kept the audience on edge until the last second.
FANS APPROVE
Spectators who stopped by the 3×3 arena next to the TV Tower were captivated by the tournament’s lively atmosphere. Twelve-year-old Eduardo Santos watched everything up close and left impressed: “The games are really cool, and the teams are playing very well. They improve more and more with each match. The arena space is also amazing and really beautiful,” he said.
Some fans even adjusted their schedules to catch the event. Before flying back to Rondônia, Carlos Vinícius made sure to save time for the games. “I’m enjoying it a lot, especially because it reminds me of my university days. I watched Spain vs. Iran — a great game. Brazil vs. Iran was also very fun and dynamic,” he said.
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE – 15 NOVEMBER 2025
Games continue this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., featuring teams from Uganda, Ecuador, Lithuania, Australia, Mexico and China. Admission is free, and all matches take place at the 3×3 basketball arena at the TV Tower Esplanade.
The full schedule, including match times and fixtures, is available on CBDU’s and FISU’s social media (@cbdu and @fisu) or on the official website 3x3basketball2025.fisu.net/schedulesresults. All matches will also be streamed live on FISU’s official YouTube channel (FISUtv).
21 Nov
