Belgium's women's team sports set record with sold-out 13,700 attendance in instant classic

ANTWERP (Belgium) - The FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Antwerp will go down in the record books after Cats' fans set a new attendance record for women's team sports in Belgium.

An amazing 13,700 fans flooded the Sportpaleis to watch the tournament hosts match up against reigning Olympic champions, USA. Breanna Stewart's last-second tip-in secured a thrilling victory for the USA in an incredible game where Belgium held the lead for almost the entire match, culminating in a dramatic ending for the hosts.

This smashes the previous highest Cats' crowd and also the previous high tide mark in any sport, which was at Standard Liege where 9,027 spectators were in attendance to watch a soccer game. 

USA head coach, Cheryl Reeve was one of the first to congratulate Belgium after her team won a game for the ages 81-79.

"I want to congratulate the Belgian national team and the community here. This environment was just outstanding and congrats to them for a record crowd in any female team sport.

"I have followed the growth of Belgium basketball and the passion and adulation this country has for them," added Reeve.

Big crowds are also expected for when Belgium face Senegal on Friday 9 February and Nigeria on Sunday 11 February. The expectation of those attending will be to see Belgium wrap up a ticket to this year's Games and lock down only their second ever Olympic appearance.

FIBA