The Belgian Cats remain on top of Europe

This 40th edition of the continental women's basketball tournament brought together 16 national teams over two weeks in Piraeus (Greece), Bologna (Italy), Brno (Czech Republic) and Hamburg (Germany). 

Belgium, holders of the title after a magnificent surprise victory over Spain, met the Spanish players again in this final. Before that, the Belgian Cats had beaten Germany 83-59 in the quarter-finals and then Italy in a thrilling 66-64 semi-final.

Faced with Spanish players who were all the more vindictive given that they had also been eliminated in the quarter-finals at the last Olympic Games, the challenge was considerable for the Belgian basketball players.

Buoyed by a stellar Julie Allemand (19 points) and one of their best players in Emma Meesseman (16 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists), the Belgian Cats once again managed to topple Spain at the very end of the game. After a disastrous start to the fourth quarter, as against Italy, Belgium were trailing by 12 points with just over 3 minutes remaining. They were still 1 point behind with just 17 seconds left to play. And it was Antonia Delaere who saved the day with an interception followed by a dazzling counter-attack to secure the European crown by a thread with a score of 67-65.

Well done to the Belgian Cats for their double European title!