The Belgian Cats lost against the United States 75 to 84 for their second qualifying match for the Women’s Basketball World Cup, played on Friday in Washington.
By Belga
Uan honorable defeat of 9 units against the world champions and Olympic champions. Belgium indeed went the distance with Emma Meesseman (in double-double 15 points and 10 rebounds, 5 assists), Hind Ben Abdelkader (17 pts), Julie Allemand (6pts, 6 assists), Kyara Linskens (9 pts, 6 rebounds), Billie Massey (8 pts, 8 rebounds) and the young Maxuella Lisowa (9 pts).
The players of Valery Demory, who had chosen to rotate his squad widely, had more difficulty in the rotations where the United States could maintain their rhythm with the players on the bench. Trailing 44-63 at the half hour mark, the Belgian Cats made it a point of honor to come back at the final whistle.
Belgium, victorious over Puerto Rico on Thursday (98-65), will still have to wait before validating their ticket for the World Cup in Australia from September 22 to October 1 in Sydney.
On Saturday, the Belgian Cats join the Dominican Republic where they will play their 3rd and last group match against Russia on Sunday (9:30 p.m.) in Santo Domingo.
Prohibited from entering American soil due to visa problems and non-recognition of the Sputnik vaccine, the Russians saw their two matches against Belgium on Sunday and against Puerto Rico on Tuesday relocated by FIBA, the international basketball federation, in the Dominican Republic.
The two best teams of the group with the United States, already qualified thanks to their Olympic title in Tokyo this summer, qualify for the final phase in Australia.
