Kyara Linskens led the Cats to a brilliant victory with 8 points and 9 rebounds. — © VDB
What a great performance by the Belgian Cats. The selection of national coach Rachid Méziane won 90-55 against vice-world champion China in a full Sportcampus De Lange Munte in Kortrijk. The Belgian Cat, the number 7 in the world, are preparing for the European Championships that will take place from 15 to 25 June in Israel/Slovenia.
Patrick Ceulemans
In a tense first quarter, an incomplete China continued to press after 8-2 and through Li Yuan, who scored three points. The Cats dominated through a beautiful Julie Allemand who played with great flair. After 18-12, Belgium had a 21-17 bonus after the first slide.
In the second slider, the Chinese ladies fell completely silent. The Cats defended extremely tight and came off completely offensively. Julie Vanloo, Julie Allemand and Emma Meesseman quickly made it 28-19. With Bethy Mununga, Becky Massey and Maxuelle Lisowa, it went to a 46-19 score after a spectacular 23-0 intermediate sprint. Halfway through, a 46-21 Belgian bonus flickered on the scoreboard.
China came out of the dressing room stronger and saw Pan Zhenqi and Liu Shuai score. The score evolved from 53-26 to a 63-43. China won the third quarter 17-22. In the final quarter, the Belgian Cats continued to dominate, thanks to Julie Vanloo, Kyara Linskens and Becky Massey, who threw a bomb: 70-47. After 81-50 it went to a marked Belgian victory. On Saturday (6 pm) there will be the farewell match of the Belgian Cats and again against China in the Sportoase in Leuven. On Monday, the Cats will then leave for Israel/Tel Aviv where they will open the European Championship against Israel on Thursday, June 15.
Belgium-China
Quartz: 21-17, 25-4, 17-22, 27-12
Belgium: Ramette 0, Delaere 6, Resimont 3, Meesseman 17, Linskens 8, Mununga 5, Geldof 2, Becky Massey 8, Lisowa 8, Billie Massey 5, Vanloo 5, Allemand 5