A fight for the Top Gun champion title in 3x3 basketball will take place in Akropole

2021-09-15

The decisive battles of the Latvian 3x3 basketball league Top Gun second season for the champion title and a prize fund of 5,000 euros will take place on 25 and 26 September, in the shopping and entertainment centre Akropole. The 16 men's teams will compete in a specially designed 3x3 basketball court in the area between the A and F entrances. The program includes 3x3 basketball games, as well as various interactive classes for fans and everyone interested.

The first games of Top Gun in Akropole will start on Saturday, 25 September with the opening ceremony, men's teams’ subgroup games and long-distance shot contest. On the second day, 26 September, 3x3 Latvia interactive classes are planned, as well as Top Gun elimination games, until the final and awarding of winners. Akropole visitors and fans of 3x3 basketball will also have the opportunity to enjoy the performance of the Host of the Top Gun series Deniss Stepanovs, especially the song "Vienmēr ar mani” (Always with me), which has become the anthem of the tournament.

Raimonds Vējonis, President of the Latvian Basketball Association: “While we are still happily reminiscing the Olympic victory of the best 3x3 basketball players in Latvia, continuing work is important for the success to last. For the second year in a row, the Top Gun League tournaments offer premium game practice for players, including the next national team members. I would like to express gratitude for the participating municipalities that have supported the Latvian championship, the Akropole shopping and entertainment centre for their hospitality, hosting the participants of our finals for the second year in a row. Exciting fights on the 3x3 court and interesting performances between games - I am certain that the atmosphere of the basketball festival will bring joy to many visitors of Akropole."

Zane Kaktiņa, manager of the Akropole shopping and entertainment centre: "In the field of sports, Latvia is proud to bear its name this year, especially I would like to highlight our first 3x3 basketball Olympic champions. The development of 3x3 basketball in Latvia is a logical continuation. The TOP GUN tournament is a great stepping stone for athletes of this sport, therefore we are pleased that for the second year in a row we will host the finals of the TOP GUN tournament in Akropole, where the winners of this season will be determined. I believe that this year the fight for medals will be even fiercer and the athletes will demonstrate a great game.”

In the second season of Top Gun, there are six tournaments in the men's team calendar, where points are collected to participate in the Akropole final. The 12 best teams in the overall standings will compete for the champion title, as well as four teams that will receive special invitations from the Top Gun organizers (Wild Card). This summer, 3x3 Jelgava gained two victories, triumphing in Ventspils and Jelgava, also Mārupe/Bauerfeind has two victories in Ādaži and Mārupe. The teams 3x3Latvija U23 Red (Ogre) and 3x3Latvija U23 White (Kandava) each have one victory.

For the second year in a row, the shopping and entertainment centre Akropole will become the place where Top Gun champions are determined, as on 27 September, 2020, three of the four future champions of the Tokyo Olympics were winners here. Agnis Čavars, Edgars Krūmiņš, and Kārlis Pauls Lasmanis together with Artūrs Strēlnieks represented the colours of Ķekava, beating Mārupe - Artūrs Kramiņš, Elvijs Frīdenbergs, Niks Niklāvs Višņevičs, and Reinis Otersons in the final with 22:12. Saldus won third place. Amongst women, 3x3 Sievietes (Baiba Eglīte, Enija Ķīvīte, Ieva Veinberga and Kristīna Petermane) gained the victory, winning against Mārupe and DU.

In 2017, 3x3 basketball was included in the official program of the Olympic Games, awarding the first sets of medals at the Tokyo Olympic Games in July of this year. 3x3 basketball players of the Latvian national team became the champions (Agnis Čavars, Edgars Krūmiņš, Kārlis Pauls Lasmanis, Nauris Miezis), the Russian Olympic Committee team won 2nd place, and Serbia - 3rd place.

About the shopping and entertainment centre “Akropole”

In the shopping and entertainment centre “Akropole” you can also find the only multi-brand store in Latvia, “Van Graaf”, as well as the sports and lifestyle stores “Ballzy Ice” and “adidas Originals”. Here you can find the largest brand stores in Latvia, such as “Zara”, “Reserved”, “Deichmann”, “Oysho”, “Guess”, and “KidzOne”. This wide range is complemented by restaurants and cafés to everyone’s taste, a large and elegant “Maxima” XXX supermarket, a modern fitness room, as well as an outdoor children’s playground. The O’Learys entertainment area offers bowling, billiards, sports simulators and other exciting leisure and entertainment options for the whole family.

“Akropole” is not only the most modern shopping and entertainment centre in Latvia but also the first to receive the prestigious BREEAM certificate in both its designing and construction stages, thanks to the high energy efficiency and sustainability standards with which the processes complied. “Akropole” was also recognised as the winner in the nomination category “New Public Building” in the “Latvian Construction Industry’s Annual Award 2019” contest, and was recognised as the best BIM object at “The Best Building of the Year in Latvia 2019”. Moreover, connected to “Akropole” shopping centre is the largest B+ class Business centre in Latvia.

Working hours

Shops
I-VII 10:00-21:00
Maxima XXX
I-VII 08.00-23.00
Euroaptieka
I–VII 9.00–22.00
Lemon Gym
I-VII 00:00-24:00