Road to Mataro

London 3x3 travel to Spain as the number one seed with a major opportunity to qualify for their sixth Masters event.

London enter the Mataro challenger with their sights firmly set on proving why they are the highest ranked team. Following a disappointing outing in Brasilia with a team depleted by visa complications, they look to bounce back and assert dominance over the rest of the competition. A top three finish here would secure them a place at the Macau Masters next month.

On paper, London’s lineup from Brasilia remains unchanged, but this time the highly regarded Justin Pierce will feature on court. His presence could make all the difference - barring a repeat of travel disruption!

Further down the seedings, the draw features several Spanish teams who have been climbing the world rankings throughout the season. Their recent success has pushed Spanish 3x3 firmly into the spotlight on the World Tour, and they will be eager to make a statement on home soil.

London face tournament hosts, Mataro, in their opening game which promises to exhibit a showcase of elite level 3x3 – electrified by a passionate Spanish crowd. Ranked outside the global top 40, Mataro may not be tipped to win this clash, but London cannot afford to take them lightly. The Spaniards will fancy their chances against a London side that has shown mixed form in recent weeks, and with the backing of the home crowd, they could be a tricky opponent.

Like Mataro, many teams will see this as a golden opportunity. With no top 10 sides in the draw, unlike recent Challengers such as Manila which was stacked with world class talent, the field feels wide open for an underdog to go far. For London, that creates a different kind of pressure, as opponents will sense this is their chance to strike. To avoid being caught out, London will need to impose themselves early and show why they are the top seed.

London’s second game comes against Ermont, a side they defeated earlier this season at the Sukhbaatar Challenger. Ermont will be eager to settle the score, but London have their own motivation as they look to return to winning form in the latter stages of their debut season.

With the draw wide open, this tournament offers a crucial chance for London to reassert themselves and push toward a World Tour berth. The team will no doubt see Sunday’s playoff games as a target they have to reach.