In the youth series it was written in the stars. Making the European dream a reality required years of hard work behind the scenes. That is why Koen Umans, father behind the golden project of the Belgian Cats, does not want to take credit for it: “It is a collective achievement.”
“The most beautiful day of my life, although my wife is not allowed to hear it”, Jan Van Landschoot, chairman of Basketball Belgium, laughs after the triumph.
“The fact that the Belgian Cats come full circle in Slovenia, the cradle of all success, has great symbolism.” Although that was not the starting point for many players of the current generation.
“In 2010 we set up the “Young Cats” project, a year later we already celebrated the title with the U18 and came second with the U16,” says Koen Umans. “We already knew then that a grand cru generation was coming.”
There really is a team around the Belgian Cats that is available to the players 365 days a year.
Koen Umans
In Slovenia in 2014 an agreement has been made. “It will be difficult, but we will do everything we can to win a prize,” Umans repeats the promise. “This is the result of many years of work.”
“And it is a collective achievement. Philip Mestdagh’s contribution cannot be underestimated either. There is really a team around the Belgian Cats that is available to the players 365 days a year.”
“This is a great motivation to continue. There is already a talented generation ready. They will have to work hard for another 4 or 5 years, but the succession is assured.”
“But let’s enjoy our moments of glory first.”
