Preview: Who's taking the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 title?

LJUBLJANA (Slovenia) - Something truly special could be in store as Belgium go up against Spain in the highly anticipated FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 title matchup in Ljubljana. 

Belgium have already made history after reaching their first Final and they will be looking to take one more step and land their maiden silverware, while Spain are chasing their fifth FIBA Women's EuroBasket crown. Meanwhile Hungary go up against France in the battle for bronze.

Belgium vs Spain - 20:00 CET 

It's a Final that many neutrals, as well as fans of the Cats and Spain will be looking forward to. While Belgium are here for this game for the first time, this is the sixth Final appearance for their opponents who perhaps rather strangely have never beaten any other team than France to the silverware - winning four against their neighbors and losing to Russia in the other one.

Head To Head: The teams have met eight times previously and it has been Spain who have held the upper hand with seven wins compared to just the one for the Cats. 

Key matchup:  It's likely that many people have what they would see as a fairytale vision of Belgium taking their first ever title with Emma Meesseman claiming MVP honors. Spain will of course be out to make sure that doesn't happen and need someone to try and slow down the Cats' marquee star. Step up to the plate Laura Gil? She has been a warrior down the years and will be unfazed by such an assignment. Or, might young Raquel Carrera be ready for this immense challenge?

X-Factor: Despite the above key matchup, surely the real 'X-Factor' in this game is going to be the battle of the guards. After all, both Julie Allemand and Julie Vanloo have been at the top of the their game since the tournament started for Belgium, while in the Semi-Finals, the Spanish backcourt, led by an excellent showing from Maite Cazorla, effectively dominated with their ball pressure and intensity. 

Stats Don't Lie: Defense is where it has been at for both teams. Spain have conceded 60 or fewer points in each of their last four games in the competition, their longest sequence since 2013 when they went six straight games conceding that low. And, Spain have won 49 of their last 50 games at the event when conceding 60 or fewer points. Meanwhile Belgium have given up the fewest points per game at just 56.

Did You Know? 
- Having won their last six games, this is Belgium's best-ever winning streak in the competition.
- Belgium have won three games by margins of 40 plus points this year and the last team to achieve that in a single edition of the tournament was Soviet Union in 1987 (across 4 games).
- Alba Torrens needs to score three points to become Spain’s all-time leading scorer in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket. She currently has 673 points, while Amaya Valdemoro has 675.

They Said: "We know the way we need to walk. We have had some tough moments in these past years, but one of the keys is that we have been together in all those moments - when we won and when we didn't. It is one of the strengths that put us here. It is true that during this Championship we have tried to not think about the past - only the present. The first game was not the best for us, but we took it as an opportunity to grow." - Spain standout Alba Torrens

"We played them in preparation and it is a different style and challenge compared to France - especially off the ball. But I think the key for winning the Final is the mental aspect and I think the girls are ready mentally. I think we can stop the Spanish team because they also present a style that is similar to ours. Controlling the pace will be the challenge." - Belgium head coach Rachid Meziane

Hungary vs France  - 17:00 CET 

Both teams will be looking to bounce back from their respective Semi-Finals disappointments, with Hungary chasing their first medal since 1991. Meanwhile France are looking to stretch their jaw-dropping record of having stood on the last seven FIBA Women's EuroBasket podiums - including silver medals at the last five editions. It's been a while since both teams faced each other at the event - some 30 years in fact. 

FIBA