The Belgian Cats know their group for the World Cup in Australia in September. The Belgians ended up in group A with top favorite VS. They also hit China, South Korea, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the country that will replace Russia. “It is good that we are already meeting the US, then we avoid them in a possible quarterfinal,” says Belgian Cat Antonia Delaere.
| Groups World Cup Basketball | |
|---|---|
| Belgium | France |
| China | Serbia |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Japan |
| Puerto Rico * | Nigeria |
| South Korea | Canada |
| United States | Australia |
*Puerto Rico may replace suspended Russia, but that has yet to be officially confirmed
Belgians draw the United States as the absolute winner
The Belgian Cats qualified for the World Cup in Australia last month. Since today they also know which countries they will meet there in the group stage. The Belgians were the best European country in pot 1 and emerged as the first country.
Belgium, number five in the world ranking and the highest placed European country at the World Cup, thus ended up in group A. The other two countries in pot 1 in our group were the United States (FIBA-1) and China (FIBA-7). Especially the US, world and Olympic champion, is going to be a tough one. In the World Cup qualifiers last month, the Belgians showed beautiful things in America. It was then 75-84.
They have better luck with China. That was the lowest ranked country from the first pot.
From pot 2, the Belgians got Bosnia-Herzegovina (FIBA-26) and South Korea (FIBA-13). The last opponent of the Belgians has not yet been officially determined. This is due to the exclusion of Russia. That will probably be Puerto Rico. The Cats had little trouble with that country in their qualifiers.
The top four of each group advance to the quarter-finals. It will be their second participation. 4 years ago, the Belgians came in fourth.
Delaere: “It’s about time we beat Bosnia-Herzegovina”
“It is difficult to say whether this is a good draw or not,” says Belgian Cat Antonia Delaere. “It is a tough group, but in the end there are only 12 countries in the World Cup so they are all strong countries.”
“I think it’s good that we already have the US in the group stage, then we can’t meet them in a possible quarterfinal. It will be five tough games.”
Delaere also values the other countries highly. “China has been growing enormously in recent years. They are very physical and large and that is not always easy for us, but we have already beaten them. That is a great challenge. It is a country that is also in the top of the group will hear.”
“Unfortunately, we already know Bosnia-Herzegovina very well. It is really time that we beat them now,” says Delaere. Recently, for example, the Belgians lost in the European Championship preliminary round. “They have a world-class player in Jonquel Jones, but we gradually know how to limit the rest of the team.”
Getting out of the group is the first goal at the World Cup. Then we’ll see.
The rest of the group are question marks. “I have never played against South Korea. We know that team less well. They are seen as the weaker brother, but we should not underestimate them. I also do not know yet whether the last opponent will really be Puerto Rico. FIBA decides on March 25. It is also possible that a qualifying tournament is organized or that the team that is highest in the world ranking can go.”
And what will be the goal of the Belgian Cats at the World Cup? “It is a good learning moment and a way to prepare for the European Championship in 2023, but of course we want to get out of the group at the World Cup itself. That is the first goal. We always do it match by match with the Cats, but that We want to reach the quarterfinals. Then we’ll see.”
