Geldof still pinching herself after Prague

MATOSINHOS (FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship) – Making history at FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 with the Belgian Cats still feels like a dream to Serena-Lynn Geldof.

Cut from the squad prior to the prestigious competition, playing at the Final Round for Belgium was the last thing on her mind when her head hit the pillow just a few nights prior to the tournament. But, a telephone call out of the blue was to change everything.

"I was just really happy with the late call, two days before the team left," confirmed the center, with an ever-broadening smile plastered across her face.

"When they called me, I was asleep, so they called my mum and she said, 'you have to go with the Cats.' And, I was like, 'what am I still dreaming?'

"It took me a day before I even realized and could say to myself, 'Yes, I am going with the Cats to EuroBasket Women!'

.@TheBelgianCats 🇧🇪 make history in emphatic fashion and claim the bronze medal at FIBA #EuroBasketWomen2017 🙌🏻.

📊 https://t.co/ytyR0Odd0V pic.twitter.com/rdO2sxgehc

— FIBA (@FIBA) June 25, 2017

"When I arrived in Prague, it was just a case knowing my role in the whole thing and I accepted that from the beginning. They didn't expect anything from me, so I just approached it as a great opportunity."

Geldof also had he thrill of grabbing a bronze medal and making history with the legendary Ann Wauters, along with EuroLeague Women and WNBA star, Emma Meesseman.

She enthused: "They are just two amazing players and it was just great to practice and learn from them, to see what they are doing.

"Going to EuroBasket Women, I got to see them play the 'big' games. For them too, it was a big occasion, playing for their country and so to see them play and do their thing was great - just really great.

"Of course, I was young at this EuroBasket Women tournament," added Geldof.

"I just need to take this with me into the future. I was lucky that I have had this at the beginning, and it just motivates me to be better and experience more over the years ahead."

It's been a potentially career-changing period as she has also been appearing in the NCAA with the University of Miami, where she plays with Dutch duo Emese Hof and Laura Cornelius.

She revealed: "It was something else and something different from Belgium. It was really good for me and I am going back in August. It makes me stronger.

"The way they play is different from here and all that kind of stuff. I know I didn't play much in my freshman year, but that's okay. I really learned in the practices to play hard and physical. It's a good thing there, to get some muscles," laughed Geldof, as she playfully flexed her arms.

"It was also easier to go knowing Emese and Laura were there, because we kind of speak the same languages – even if sometimes it is difficult for them to understand my dialect! Also, sometimes I have difficulty with the American culture, so it is good to have them there."

Now the focus is on Matosinhos and ensuring Belgium stay in Division A. It was certainly a roller-coaster first day in the competition as Geldof initially had tears rolling down her cheeks after an intense time-out, but it was all smiles by the end as the team took a win against Sweden.

"It was just a little bit of pressure," she confessed.

"They do not ask that much of me, but I want to give it my all. If I disappoint them, that really gets to me and that was my feeling at the beginning.

"It was difficult for me to return because at EuroBasket Women, I didn't play much as I was the youngest.

"But here in Matosinhos, I have a much bigger role and that was a little bit difficult, but we managed well. The game went a little bit creepy in the third quarter, but we made it and that's a good thing."

FIBA