Cats put battered Russians away before the break
After the logical victory against Puerto Rico, the Belgian Cats had actually already qualified for the World Cup in Australia next autumn, but with a possible victory against top country Russia, the Belgian ladies could possibly add some strength to their qualification.
The Russians were missing, among others, star players Maria Vadejeva and Anastasia Shilova due to corona perils. So they lacked a lot of quality. The Cats immediately stepped on the accelerator and, thanks to Meesseman and Linskens, they immediately deepened a gap of 7 points.
The Russians never actually managed to put any pressure on the Cats. At the end of the first quarter, the lead was already 10 points.
Kozik’s three-pointer early in the second quarter didn’t alarm the Belgians at all. An eager Julie Allemand reached her best level and gave the Russians no rest.
The Cats kept looking for the combination afterwards and never got into trouble that way. The second quarter also ended with a win. A gap of 14 points at the break could not be relinquished.
Gap continues to grow, Cats secure World Cup ticket
After the break, things calmed down a bit. Both teams found it more difficult to score and the Russians were unable to take control of the game at any time.
The gap quickly went to 20 points after which all tension was finally gone. Massey was unyielding in the duels after the break and in the front, Meesseman and Allemand, among others, easily finished the opportunities they got.
In the last quarter, national coach Valéry Demory saw the ideal opportunity to use his entire core. Geldof and Resimont, among others, eagerly took advantage of this to make themselves noticed.
After a simple win against Russia (43-66), the Belgian Cats are completely sure of the World Cup in Australia next autumn. Russia can also qualify, but then it must win against Puerto Rico tomorrow.
