Speaking to the national coach in person is only possible after the matches in Portugal, due to the very strict corona security measures. But on the phone, Philip Mestdagh sounds optimistic
“Even without Emma Meesseman (corona) and Kyara Linskens (knee injury) we should be able to win twice. Portugal and Ukraine do not have much shape under the boards. .
Portugal, in a modest 47th place in the world ranking, is a fast and very energetic team, with an often varying defensive system, but top players of the level of Julie Allemand do not have it. If the home team is not outdone, the Cats (number 7 in the world) should be able to win easily.
For a win against Ukraine, the Cats have to be alert. The Ukrainian team is all about top player Alina Jagoepova. A fantastic shotter, who scored 32 points in the first qualifying match of the Cats last year in Charleroi.
Even with only one win in Lisbon, the Cats are still well on schedule for the European Championship. Then in February next year they will have to win their last 2 matches, again against Portugal and against weak Finland.
In 2021, the Cats can provide a new highlight in the history of Belgian basketball. At the European Championship, which takes place in France and Spain, they can win a medal and at the Games they hope to reach the quarter-finals.
“The places in the selection for the Games are getting expensive,” says the national coach. “Here in Portugal, next year in February and in some exhibition games in May, I will be able to see who deserves a trip to Tokyo.”
Of course there are already many certainties: Emma Meesseman, Julie Allemand, Kyara Linskens, Kim Mestdagh and Antonia Delaere. But also the regular substitutes: Jana Raman, Hanne Mestdagh, Heleen Nauwelaers and Marjorie Carpreaux seem to be able to sleep on 2 ears.
Icon Ann Wauters too, because the national coach would like to take the 40-year-old Wauters to Japan. “If anyone deserves it, it’s Ann. With such a record of achievement for Belgian basketball, we cannot take away from her that Olympic dream. “
“Of course she must also be able to reach a good level. What I see in her training sessions makes me hopeful. Even with months without match rhythm, I see her performing well against Portugal and Ukraine.”
So for the last places it will be tough from tomorrow. The former regular values, Julie Vanloo and Serena-Lynn Geldof, and the new generation, Laure Resimont and the twin sisters Billie and Becky Massey,
will have to convince the national coach of their Olympic potential.
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