It’s historic, the Belgian Cats are European champions | Other sports

Heroic, the Belgian Cats beat Spain in the final of the Women’s Basketball Euro on Sunday in Ljubljana to win the first title in the history of Belgian basketball. An adventure that began 6 years ago.

Returning to the Euros in 2017, ten years after their last final phase, the Belgians began a fantastic adventure in Prague which will have led a golden generation to the Olympic Games through two World Cups. Bronze medalist at Euro 2017 and 2021, 5th at Euro 2021, 4th at the 2018 World Cup, 5th at the 2022 World Cup and 7th at the Tokyo Olympics, Belgium will have written its history under the leadership of Philippe Mestdagh .

A new page turned then, brief first with Valéry Demory, then with Rachid Meziane. The chemistry between the French technician and the Belgian Cats was immediate on the basis of the values ​​advocated by both parties and with players, of exceptional talent, who have reached maturity.

The story continued to be written, even more beautiful. Emma Meesseman and Julie Allemand have taken the lead, Julie Vanloo and Kyara Linskens have regained a major role and gained confidence, Antonia Delaere as a faithful lieutenant completes a very high level major five.

Already brilliant among young people with a European title in 2011 among the U18s with Meesseman, Vanloo, Delaere, another in 2019 among the U18s still with the sisters Billie and Becky Massey, the desire to ensure continuity is very present. It goes through participation in major competitions. Next step, the qualifying tournaments in February for the Paris 2024 Olympics. And in November the start of qualifying for Euro 2025, the organizer(s) of which have yet to be named.

Emma Meesseman, in MVP mode, Julie Allemand, best passer, Julie Vanloo, Kyara Linskens and Antonia Delaere make up a “fantastic” major five and the game offered by the Belgians is praised by observers. Many of these considered this Belgium-France on Saturday as a final before the letter. It would be an insult to Spain, in reconstruction, which returns to the final after its titles in 2017 and 2019.

If the Belgians of Rachid Meziane dismissed France in the semi-finals (67-63) after an intense physical duel, Spain also drew on its reserves to dismiss Hungary (69-60). In bronze at Euro 2017, 4th at the 2018 World Cup, 5th at Euro 2019, 3rd at Euro 2021, 7th at the Tokyo Olympics and 5th at the 2022 World Cup, Belgium will enrich its record . The Belgian Cats brought down Serbia, defending champions, in the quarterfinals then France, vice-champions of Europe for the last five editions, who hope not to return empty-handed from their duel for bronze against Hungary, one year from “ its “Olympic Games in Paris.

So happy to reach the final, the Belgians will evolve without pressure. “We are certainly not favorites”, argues Emma Meesseman. “We are already super happy to get here, it’s historic. But we have a team of winners who want to go all the way,” adds Julie Allemand.

In the final of the Women’s Basketball Euros for the first in their history, the Belgian Cats, proven after an intense showdown against the Blues, must gather their forces to try to surprise Spain, which has often barred them the road and where only Maria Conde (shoulder) is uncertain.

“We are super happy to be in the final, but we all want to go for the gold”, commented Antonia Delaere after the shooting session at the end of the morning. We will have to find additional strength, because it was difficult to sleep after the match against France. But a final always gives extra energy and we will give everything. This is perhaps the only time in our career that we are so close to a title. It won’t be easy. Spain may not have developed their best basketball yet, but they are always there at the right time like Alba Torrens”.

Belgium has always been in the shadow of European leaders (Serbia, France or Spain), but for the Antwerp winger, they deserve more respect. “They were always put a notch above us. Starting the match well, trying to make a difference, that’s our leitmotif to deal with the circumstances of a match afterwards. Spain also defends very hard, but in a different style than France. It’s more correct, with a lot of rotation and energy. They have fantastic players, a well-stocked bench and play with a style comparable to ours with speed, screens. We know, now we’ll see what we can do against their defence,” added the former Zaragoza player who will return next season to Spain, in Salamanca.

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