Belgian Cats look to retain title at EuroBasket Women 2025
After narrowly missing out on a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, the Belgian Cats basketball team are aiming for redemption at EuroBasket Women 2025. Hopes are high for the defending European champions, as all the key players from their title-winning run in 2023 will be part of the squad.
The Cats’ victory at EuroBasket 2023 marked a historic milestone, earning Belgium its first-ever European basketball title. Since then, however, the team has been searching for a new high point. The Paris Olympics ended in disappointment with a fourth-place finish, and head coach Rachid Méziane left to coach the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA, the world’s top competition.
To lead the team into a new era, the Belgian basketball federation appointed legendary American coach Mike Thibault in January. The 74-year-old is the most successful coach in WNBA history and has won multiple Olympic gold medals with the US women’s national team. His first mission is clear: guide Belgium to their second European title.
There’s more at stake than just another European title. The Belgian Cats also need a strong EuroBasket performance to take part in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup next year. A tournament win would secure a direct spot in the group stage. A top-five finish would be enough to reach the World Cup qualifiers.
Squad doubts
But the road to EuroBasket 2025 was not without obstacles. Julie Allemand, Kyara Linskens and Julie Vanloo - three pillars of the team - were long expected to stay with their WNBA clubs due to scheduling conflicts. In their absence, the Cats suffered a devastating 91-42 defeat in a friendly against France, raising concerns about the team’s competitiveness.
“I looked at the bigger picture and decided fairly quickly: I'm going to regret it if I pass up the Cats”
Earlier this month, however, Thibault received the good news that all three players would join the Cats. Linskens, who was named MVP of the 2023 EuroBasket final, even terminated her contract with the Golden State Valkyries to rejoin the national team.
“I looked at the bigger picture and decided fairly quickly: I'm going to regret it if I pass up the Cats,” Linskens told Sporza. “That didn’t feel right. I told the team my story and said I was leaving the club.”
With a full squad available, Belgium heads to EuroBasket 2025 in top form. The team offered a glimpse of its strength during last week’s friendlies against Germany, cruising to 80-45 and 97-60 wins. The victories are a major boost in confidence for the Cats, as Germany beat them in their opening match at the Paris Olympics last year.
Belgium will play its group-stage matches in Brno on 19, 20 and 22 June, facing Portugal, Montenegro and host nation Czech Republic. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, which will be held in Piraeus, Greece. The final is scheduled for 29 June.
© BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR
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