PARIS (France) – The upcoming Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 will see Belgium look to carve a fresh slice of history with a first ever medal at the event in what will be only their second appearance.
Riding the crest of a wave after that maiden FIBA Women's EuroBasket title last year, the Cats are looking to break more new ground by standing on a first Olympic podium in the French capital.
But first, they will have to navigate their way out of the tricky first phase waters that have been formed by the 'Group of Death'.
The Roster
A tremendous core rotation and a magnificent leader in Emma Meesseman is what drives Belgium, while the supporting cast and bench seem to be getting ever stronger and more impactful.
Meesseman is a colossus and perhaps the most standout national team leader in the women's game. Her influence is immeasurable on this Cats team, so often leading in scoring, rebounding, while also impressing with her passing vision and defense. She's just awesome.
Guards-wise, there is plenty to enjoy for Belgian fans - with Julie Allemand ready to get back playing after a long injury lay-off. Alongside her, namesake Julie Vanloo will impress with her so often energetic and vibrant contributions.
The return of Kyara Linskens who missed the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Antwerp is massive as she is such a force in the paint. The same can be said of the work on the glass by the powerful Bethy Mununga.
Meanwhile the wing will be patrolled by the excellent Antonia Delaere and the athletic Maxuella Lisowa-Mbaka.
The Question
Have Belgium got the rotation they need to land on that podium for the first time? They will have to endure what will be the most difficult set of games probably ever played.
The Group phase is going to take so much out of them and they might normally be able to give marquee baller Meesseman a bit of a rest at times. However that is far less likely against the quality of USA, Japan and Germany.
The rotation needs to be longer at this event and other players might have to step up. This will feel like a marathon for Belgium's top performers and they might not have the endurance needed to finish.
The Hope
You get the sense that some things are changing within the team and younger players like Maxuella Lisowa-Mbaka can start to relieve some of the burden and responsibility that has been on the longstanding starting five.
The winger played well in Antwerp earlier this year after some bright spots en-route to that historic EuroBasket silverware in Ljubljana last year.
If that trend continues, then it could be massive for Belgium.
The Fear
It's a familiar one for Cats' fans and the entire team too. Belgium has most of its eggs in the Meesseman basket and if she drops below her phenomenal standards or misses out in any way, including foul trouble, then the task gets so tough.
The good news is that Belgium have proven in spells they can still play well and compete without their marquee baller and they are by no means a one player team.
Still, the reality is that to achieve success it's imperative that Meesseman is on the court as needed, operating in a high gear and showing why she is one of the best players of the modern era.
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