Linortner celebrates comeback: 3x3 star wants to take the title back in Amsterdam!

Linortner celebrates comeback: 3x3 star wants to take the title back in Amsterdam!

Wien, Österreich - Mathias Linortner celebrates his comeback in 3 × 3 basketball after having to pause for 307 days because of an Achilles tendon tear. The star returns on Saturday at the Masters in Amsterdam on the Fiba 3 × 3 World Tour. Linortner will play with his teammates Nico Kaltenbrunner, Enis Murati and Toni Blazan for the Vienna team. Her first group opponent in Amsterdam will be Vracar from Serbia, followed by Riffa from Bahrain in the second game of the day.

Two years ago, the Vienna team achieved winning the title at the 100th Masters 3 × 3 tournament in Amsterdam. Linortner, who competes in the hope phase of his comeback, has the ambition to repeat this success and maybe even become number one in the 3 × 3 world. His last appearance on the tour was in Kazakhstan in July 2024, where the Vienna team won the third title. His injury occurred in the final of this tournament.

Vienna as the new venue for the FIBA 3 × 3 World Tour

In exciting news, the FIBA 3 × 3 World Tour 2025 will take place for the first time in Vienna. This was announced by Basketball Austria and shows the growing interest and the importance of 3 × 3 basketball in Austria. From June 12th to 15th, 2025, fans can expect a large 3 × 3 basketball event at the Heumarkt in Vienna. The domestic European championship team "Team Vienna" will compete, as will international teams from countries such as Serbia and the Netherlands.

The FIBA-3 × 3 boss Alex Sanchez described Vienna as the best 3 × 3 tournament in the world, which further increases the anticipation for the event. In combination with an event of the FIBA 3 × 3 Women’s Series for women and participating the Austrian 3 × 3-wheelchair basketball team, the event will be a highlight of the year. The historical backdrop at the Vienna Heumarkt and the support of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Public Service and Sport and the City of Vienna make the event particularly attractive.

a platform for the Austrian basketball

In addition to the main event, a U23 nation league is also held, which offers a qualification option for the U23 World Cup. Similar events have enjoyed great popularity over the past few years, with over 120,000 fans who visited the competitions on Rathausplatz and in front of the Ferris wheel. Nico Kaltenbrunner, player of Team Vienna, expressed his anticipation of the event and saw a significant opportunity for Austrian basketball, the interest and visibility to further increase.

Ticket sales for the event in Vienna will soon begin on 3x3vienna.at, and the attractiveness of the 3 × 3 World Cup will be further increased by the close competition and the commitment of teams such as the Vienna team. Despite the missed Olympic ticket for Paris 2024, the Austrian basketball remains on a promising course.

for Mathias Linortner and his team will be the first step on the way back to the top of the 3 × 3 basketball. The combination of a comeback and the upcoming Fiba 3 × 3 World Tour in Vienna sets clear signs for the future of sport in the country.