Had things gone any differently than they did for the Belgium women’s basketball team in its group stage finale, it wouldn’t have even been in a quarterfinal contest.
The Belgian cats only made it this far because of a miraculous 27-point victory over Japan that made up for back-to-back double-digit losses to the United States and Germany to start group play.
Yet how they got there no longer mattered on Wednesday, just that they did, as Belgium made the most of the opportunity by upsetting No. 4-ranked Spain, 79-66, advancing to its first Olympic semifinals.
Like she’s done all tournament, Emma Meesseman led the Belgian charge as she finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, six assists, two steals and four blocks. Helping the two-time WNBA All-Star was Kyara Linskens who added 19 points, eight rebounds and two steals.
The duo led a hyper-efficient outing for Belgium that finished shooting 53 per cent from the field and 50 per cent from beyond the arc (8-of-16).
Spain’s loss wasn’t for a lack of effort however as it cut what was once a 22-point deficit, down to seven within the fourth quarter. The comeback effort came courtesy of the Spaniards forcing 22 Belgian turnovers on the day for 26 points (plus-nine).
Megan Gustafson was Spain’s top scorer on Wednesday as she finished with a game-high 21 points to go with seven rebounds, a steal and a block. Behind her was Maite Cazorla, who added 13 points as the only other double-digit scorer for Spain.
The comeback push proved too little too late for the Spanish women, failing to overcome a second and third quarter in which they were outscored 22-11 and 19-12. By halftime, Belgium was already up by 11 points and then opened the second half on a 9-2 run that ultimately allowed it to hold on.
Now in just its second Olympic appearance ever — after taking an improbable route to the knockout stage — the Belgium women’s basketball team is heading to its first semifinals.
UP NEXT
Belgium now awaits the winner of Germany-France to see which team it’ll face in Friday’s semifinal. Belgian fans will have to wait and see if the fairytale ends there or if another chapter gets added to the story.
Spain heads home.
AUSTRALIA 85, SERBIA 67
The No. 3-ranked Australia women’s basketball team proved why it’s just that as the Opals cruised to an 85-67 win over Serbia in their Olympic quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday.
Australia was dominant on the day, being the more physical team in multiple areas and being rewarded as such. The Aussies drew 25 fouls from the Serbians and made 22 of them compared to the 14 and eight the other way.
WNBA guard Alanna Smith was Australia’s tone-setter on Wednesday as she finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Meanwhile, Jade Melbourne had her best game of the tournament, racking up 18 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Cayla George also chipped in with 18 points, four rebounds and three steals.
Jovana Nogic led Serbia on the day as she finished with 17 points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals. Angela Dugalic and Ivana Raca were Serbia’s other two double-digit scorers on the day, finishing with 14 and 10 points respectively.
The Opals led for all but the first 11 seconds of the game, going up by as many as 28 points on their path to a semifinal berth. Whether it was a 22-13 second quarter or a 17-0 run in the third, the firepower of Australia was simply too much for the Serbian women to overcome.
UP NEXT
Australia now waits to take on the winner of USA-Nigeria on Friday for a semifinal matchup. Either getting a chance to avenge a stunning loss to the Nigerian women to open group play, or an opportunity to slay the beast that is Team USA.
Serbia heads home.
In a stunning upset, Belgium’s national basketball team secured a historic victory over powerhouse Spain in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games, propelling them to the semifinals for the first time in their history. The Belgian team, led by star player Emma Meesseman, put on a masterful performance to defeat the reigning European champions and secure their spot among the top four teams in the tournament.
The game was a closely contested battle from start to finish, with both teams trading baskets and playing tough defense. Spain, who were considered one of the favorites to win the gold medal, had a slight edge in the first half, but Belgium fought back in the second half to take control of the game. Meesseman, who plays in the WNBA for the Washington Mystics, was instrumental in Belgium’s victory, scoring a game-high 28 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Belgium’s victory over Spain is a testament to the team’s hard work and determination. Despite being underdogs in the tournament, they have shown that they have what it takes to compete with the best teams in the world. Their success has been a source of inspiration for basketball fans in Belgium and around the world, as they continue to defy expectations and make history at the Olympic Games.
As they prepare for their semifinal matchup, Belgium will be looking to build on their momentum and continue their impressive run in the tournament. They will face tough competition in the semifinals, but with their confidence and skill on full display, they have proven that they are capable of taking on any challenge that comes their way.
Overall, Belgium’s upset victory over Spain has been a highlight of the Olympic basketball tournament, showcasing the team’s talent and resilience on the international stage. As they look ahead to the semifinals, basketball fans can expect more thrilling performances from this determined and talented Belgian team.