Belgium got the better of Russia (FIBA 12) 66-43 (halftime 41-27) on Sunday in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.
By the editor
Lelgium has officially secured its ticket to its second consecutive Women’s Basketball World Cup. The Belgian Cats, 6th in the world, got the better of Russia (FIBA 12) 66-43 (halftime 41-27), Sunday in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. It was the third and last match for Valéry Demory’s girls in the qualifying tournament (group A) played in Washington and Santo Domingo. The quarter scores were as follows: 22-12, 19-15, 12-9, 13-7.
On the strength of their victory and especially their gap of 33 points (98-65) against Puerto Rico, the Belgians could afford to lose by a gap of 32 points against the Russians without compromising their qualification. The first three teams of this group were guaranteed to go from September 22 to October 1 in Sydney where the final phase will be played. The Americans were certain before the tournament to go to Australia as Olympic champions. Their victory over Belgium 84-75 did not change anything.
The Cats, who lined up their now traditional base five (German, Delaere, Lisowa, Meesseman and Linskens), started the game well. They led 7-2 after 5 minutes, thanks to a well-placed defense and an attack that regularly outpaced the Russians. Very motivated against players she knows well, Emma Meesseman scored 9 points in the first quarter which ended with a 10-point advantage (22-12).
The Russians reacted well as the Belgians lost some marksmanship early in the second period so that after 15 minutes the scoreboard was 26-21. A Belgian time-out put the Cats back on track. An interception from Julie Allemand, then a 3-pointer from Meesseman gave the 16th (31-21) a ten-point lead. What then join the break with a bonus of 14 points (41-27).
On resumption, the defenses tightened. If the Russians deprived the Cats of space to run, they also did not find a solution in the interior game and as their success was not at the rendezvous outside they managed only very few points (16 in total in the last twenty minutes). So much so that Belgium increased their lead to 18 points (49-31) to approach the last ten minutes with a viaticum of +17 (53-36).
Masters of the game in all areas and in particular tactics – after having been dominated in the rebound before the break (16-21) the Belgians dominated after the break under the rings (29-15) – they increased their lead to 23 points (59- 36) and were able to manage the end of the match without trembling in the face of helpless Russians.
Emma Meesseman was the game’s top scorer with 20 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Kyara Linskens added 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and Julie Allemand added 13 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds.
After their 4th place in Tenerife during their first World Cup in 2018 and their 7th place in Tokyo in their first Olympic Games last summer, the Belgian Cats will play their third consecutive world tournament next autumn in the antipodes where it will be the beginning of spring. In addition to Belgium, the United States, Australia, China, Serbia, South Korea, Canada, Japan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nigeria and France have obtained their ticket. The last place will be played on Monday in Santo Domingo between Russia and Puerto Rico.
