With an incomparable Emma Meesseman in top form, the Belgian Cats blew Germany away in the second half of the European Basketball Championship, winning 83-59 after a somewhat difficult start. As impressive as she was during the game, she spoke calmly afterward to Sporza.
“This was the most important game of the tournament. There’s a big difference between the top eight and the top four, and I thought we absolutely deserved to be in the top four. So I wanted to do everything I could to secure that victory.”
“We struggled in the first half; Germany made their three-pointers, but basketball lasts forty minutes. We kept moving—on offense and defense—and that might not always be efficient. That was also true for Germany in the second half. In the second half, we upped the tempo. We played faster, combined inside and outside. And look, it paid off.”
The Belgian Cats didn’t panic when things got a bit tough in the beginning. They remained patient. “That’s also our coach’s vision: physically, we can handle it and turn things around. Of course, you have to be on top of things from the start, but we don’t panic when things get a bit tense. The secret to our strong third quarter? During halftime, we communicate clearly what needs to be improved. And we don’t just come out of the locker room chilled – we come sharp and focused on the court.”
Meesseman remains level-headed about her own outstanding performance:
“That one shot that went in was a stroke of luck, but it’s all training. Everything you do on the court, you’ve practiced a hundred times. And when it’s going well, you have to keep going. Finding the hot hand. First it was me, then Kyara. Then you just pass the ball. Sometimes basketball is simple: we execute, you can enjoy it.”
On Friday, Italy awaits in the semi-finals. “That will be another all-or-nothing match. Italy isn’t the same team as in the pre-season. They play with heart and soul – and we have to bring that too. We’re still growing in this tournament, and from now on, the focus is entirely on Italy.”
