Belgian Cats welcomed by king and honoured at Brussels' Grand Place after European title
The Belgian women’s basketball team, who were crowned European champions on Sunday evening in Greece after a nail-biting final against Spain, are honoured extensively in Brussels on Monday evening. The Belgian Cats were first welcomed by King Philippe at the Castle of Laeken and around 9 pm, there is a ceremony planned at Brussels city hall, where they will greet their fans on the Grand Place.
The Belgian Cats defeated Spain 67-65 in a thrilling European Championship final on Sunday evening, extending their European title from two years ago. They made a comeback for the history books: in the last three minutes of the final, the team turned a 12-point deficit into a dramatic victory.
The new title is celebrated extensively on Monday evening. After a short flight delay, the Belgian Cats landed back in Belgium around 7.30 p.m. With their medals around their necks and greeted by applause, they stepped off the plane.
The first celebration took place at the Castle of Laeken, where King Philippe received them. “It was more than just sport,” said the king according to Sporza, referring to the spectacular final won by the Belgian Cats. “For Belgium, it was a sign to keep believing until the end and to win. This is Belgium as I like to see it.”
The successful team is now heading to Brussels city hall, where they should appear on the balcony at around 9 pm to greet a crowd of fans on the Grand Place.
MVP Emma Meesseman
The Belgian Cats are not complete during the various celebrations. Julie Allemand has already flown back to New York to rejoin her club, the Los Angeles Sparks, while Julie Vanloo returned to the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco.
The undisputed leader of the Belgian Cats, Emma Meesseman, is thankfully present to participate in the celebrations. The 32-year-old power forward from Ypres is widely considered the best European player and has an incredible track record of success in both the EuroLeague and the American WNBA.
Meesseman was voted the European tournament's most valuable player (MVP) on Sunday evening, becoming the first player to win the award twice in a row. She scored a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds in the final against Spain and averaged 19.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game over the two weeks.
"It shows that you should never give up, whether in sport or in life"
“I don't remember individual trophies: what I will always remember are the trophies and the celebrations with the whole team,” Meesseman said during the post-match press conference in Greece. She also looked back on the thrilling end of the final. “Coming back from a 12-point deficit is incredible, I still can't quite believe it. I've never experienced this in my career, at least not in a final. It shows that you should never give up, whether in sport or in life. I will always be very proud of this.”
The Belgian women’s basketball team is honoured by King Philippe at the Royal Castle in Laeken © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS
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