Belgium’s Kats won a direct ticket to the FIBA European Championship quarter-finals on Sunday. Former international Anne Waters sees opportunities for the experienced Belgian team.
Yesterday, Ann Waters took the time to catch up on her “cats” game as best she could, despite her team’s loss in Washington.
“It was a little tougher than I expected against Italy (72-64), but of course it’s a European Championship,” Waters recalls the Belgian Cats’ game three.
“The level of difficulty is also determined by the quality of the opponent. It’s okay to have a difficult match, because now the championship is already starting and we won’t have anything. Twice as many opponents, ”continues the former top player.
“They really showed great basketball. It’s no surprise with Emma Meeseman at her best and Julie Allemand playing excellently.”
“Julie Vanlou also performs at a high level: she hit several three-pointers and made the difference in the second half against Italy.”
Emma Meissman and Ann Waters.
“Experience with the Belgians, other teams are in transition”
While the Cats are cautious about their ambitions, Wauters is not: “I’m looking forward to the next games. Honestly? We can be ambitious and dream about the final.”
Watters sees opportunities for the experienced Cats: “For some players, this is the fourth European Championship in a row. They’ve already gained a lot of experience. If you look at the other teams, you’ll see that many of them are in a transitional phase with the young players gaining their first experience.”
However, most of the points against Italy came mainly from the starting players, while the young bench contributed just 6 points.
“The bank still needs some time to fully develop,” Waters says. “They won’t contribute equally to every game, but it’s important that they can take that experience with them.”
Ann Waters in the national team jersey.
Next hurdle: Serbia or Great Britain
In the quarter-finals, the Belgian Cats will face either Serbia or Great Britain on Thursday.
“Serbia, the European champions, has yet to perform at the highest level,” says Ann Waters.
“They are in a transitional year, as many stars have left the national team. The team is less strong than in previous European tournaments.”
“Of course Great Britain can win, but I give Serbia a little more chance. There is an Olympic ticket at stake, so it will be an intense match.”
“Whoever becomes our opponent,” Wiuters concludes, “has got another match up their legs anyway and that can be an advantage for the Cats.”
I will give Serbia a little more chance.
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