Less naivety, more character, the Belgian Cats must learn the lessons of this World Cup in view of the Euro

It’s over for the Belgian Cats. The course in this 2022 World Cup stops in the quarter-finals and there is no disappointment to be had. The elimination is logical and it was unfortunately expected, on the one hand since the calf injury of the captain and metronome of the Belgian team, Emma Meesseman, on the other hand with a draw that led on the road of the Belgians, the formidable Australian team, host of this competition.

Australia was too strong for Belgium, far too strong, like basketball that moves at two speeds between continents. Europe cannot keep pace and the gap is wide. The semi-finals of this World Cup are a perfect reflection of this with the United States and Canada on one side and China and Australia on the other.

The quarter-final of the Belgians even turned to correction. The Opals have highlighted the shortcomings of a group that clearly lacks experience but not only. We can also speak of a lack of character and a vision of the game that is too naive or a lack of concentration. To hope to have a chance – even if only tiny -, it would have been necessary to give everything and go into battle, which the Belgian players never let show against the Australians. We even felt a form of ambient defeatism. The Belgian defense was also much too perfectible, not mobile enough.

“Be rigorous in the systems,” asked coach Demory during a timeout. Nothing helped, the Belgian game got bogged down.

The absence of Emma Meesseman showed the flaws. Without it, the data is very different, especially in the construction of the game, especially defensive. Lessons must be learned for the future. The goal of this tournament was to reach the quarter-finals and learn. Objective achieved. But coach Demory and his staff have their work cut out for them in the coming months because in 2023, we will have to be ready for the Euros where Belgium should have a good part to play.

Belgium – Australia 69-86

quarter time : 16-26, 21-26, 11-20, 21-14

Belgium (14/37 at 2 pts, 11/23 at 3 pts, 8/13 LF, 23 rbds, 18 assists, 13 ffts): German 15, Ben Abdelkader 13, Delaere 6, Linskens 13, Lisowa 3, Becky Massey 5, Ramette 2, Vanloo 12.

Australia (26/49 at 2 pts, 8/21 at 3 pts, 10/11 LF, 48 rebounds, 27 assists, 15 ffts): Blicavs 12, George 19, Jackson 12, Madgen 9, Magbegor 4, Talbot 5, Tolo 13 , Wallace 5, Whitcomb 7.