Qatar defeated defending champions Serbia 18-13 in the final, after fending off the challenge of Lithuania in the semi-final with a 14-13 victory.

"This is the first time Qatar wins a major international event," team captain Yaseen Musa said.

"It never happened in football, in volleyball, in handball.

"It is one the best moments of my career and it shows that there is an opportunity for smaller nations like Qatar to be successful."

Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) and general secretary of Qatar Olympic Committee, was also delighted with the historic result.

"We are pleased with this achievement," he said.

"Full credit to the boys for bringing the trophy to Qatar.

"We are proud of the team's high technical level and dazzling performance and we hope they will do the best in the future."

The local fans also enjoyed delight in the bronze medal match when Russia secured a 19–18 victory over Lithuania.

Qatar defeated Serbia 18-13 in Moscow to secure their first ever 3x3
basketball world title ©FIBA


But the home side suffered a 15-8 defeat in the women's gold medal final as the US held onto the title they won in Athens two years ago.

"We came together," said American athlete Tiffany Mitchell.

"We've had to play tough the whole time.

"A lot of teams played us physical, and I think we stuck together through the adversity.

"We knew the tough plays were going to come, so we just stayed together and kept our heads."

The women's bronze medal was won by Belgium after they beat the Czech Republic 14-12.

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