© BELGIUM
The Belgian Cats know their opponents for the European Championship qualifying round for the 2025 European Championship. The European champion will face Lithuania, Poland and…Azerbaijan. Of the eight groups, the group winners and the four best runners-up are qualified for the European Championship.
Eurobasket Women 2025 will take place from June 19 to 29, 2025 in Greece, Germany, the Czech Republic and Italy. These four countries are in group I in the qualifying round and, as host countries, are automatically qualified for the 2025 European Championship. The final phase of Eurobasket Women 2025 will continue in Greece from the quarter-finals.
The Belgian Cats will therefore compete against Lithuania (FIBA 46), Poland (FIBA 44) and Azerbaijan. A feasible draw, which is especially tough in terms of travel, especially the trip to Baku in Azerbaijan (4,500 kilometers).
“A nice and feasible draw”
“A nice and feasible draw,” says the now experienced Antonia Delaere (29). “We know Poland and Lithuania and Azerbaijan is the unknown factor. As the outgoing defending champions, we will of course aim for a fifth consecutive qualification. In the previous four European Championships we came third twice, fifth once and first last summer. We want to remain present on the highest European stage with the new generation.”
Sven Van Camp especially fears trips to the former Eastern Bloc in the winter months. “Poland, Lithuania and, as an added bonus, a long-distance move to Azerbaijan. Organizationally, this is not an easy task,” the high performance manager is already thinking ahead.
The Belgian Cats open the European Championship qualifying round on Thursday, November 9. The second day of play is on November 12. The two remaining windows will be contested in November 2024 and February 2025. Of the eight groups, the group winners and the four best runners-up have qualified for the 2025 European Championship.
The Belgian Cats, number 6 in the world ranking, won bronze at the European Championships of 2017 (Czech Republic/Prague) and 2021 (Spain-France/Valencia/Strasbourg). Last but not least, they wrote Belgian basketball history last summer by being crowned European champions for the first time.
They will complete the Olympic qualifying tournament in Antwerp from 8 to 11 February. Emma Meesseman and her teammates want to qualify for a second Olympic Games (Paris 2024) in the Lotto Arena and the Sportpaleis of Antwerp.
© BELGIUM