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Fiba 3x3 Hong Kong Masters: players hail improved event as Amsterdam take title and Paris miss season finals spot
- Raudondvaris and Ub Huishan NE players among those to offer praise for event after low attendances last year were improved on this time at Victoria Park
- Amsterdam seal their first title this season, while line-up is completed for next month’s World Tour finals in Jeddah
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Attendances on the final day of the Fiba 3x3 Hong Kong Masters lived up to the expectations of the organisers after the majority of seats at Victoria Park were filled on Sunday.
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Fans were seen queuing for tickets on site early in the afternoon before they witnessed Amsterdam winning their first title this season, defeating Raudondvaris Hoptrans 21-17 in the final.
Event officials had predicted attendances to reach “80 per cent overall” and although the crowds were less than ideal during the quarter-finals in the afternoon, fans turned up in the evening for the semi-finals and final, as well as the dunk contest.
With only a handful of seats unoccupied by night, returning overseas players said Hong Kong had done a better job as host this year.
“It’s a good place, we like the city and the arena so much,” said Lithuanian player Paulius Beliavicius, who won last year with Sakiai Gulbele, now renamed Raudondvaris. “There are more fans coming in and the final stands are almost full.”
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Beliavicius’s view was echoed by Strahinja Stojacic, ranked the world’s No 1 men’s player.
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