On their way to the World Cup, the Belgian Cats will meet the United States (the Americans are already qualified as title holders) the Russia and Puerto Rico. Here is the result of the draw, performed this Tuesday, in the Swiss town of Mies, at the headquarters of the International Basketball Federation.
The qualifying tournament will take place in Washington, February 10-13, 2022. The 2nd and 3rd of the group will qualify. The World Cup will be organized in Australia, in Sydney, from 23/09 to 03/10.
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A strong group, but the qualification is within the reach of the Cats, since the first three of the group qualify. It is therefore a print that satisfies Pierre Cornia, l’assistant coach des Belgian Cats : “We have in our group Puerto Rico (ndlr 17th in the world) that we have always beaten. To qualify we have to leave a team behind us, so our objective will be to finish ahead of Puerto Rico “.
Ensuring 3rd place in the group will therefore be essential: “We drew the best team in pot 1 with the United States and in my opinion the best team in pot 3, Russia. They are big nations, it’s a big draw, but we have every chance of winning. to qualify”, said Pierre Cornia.
Even if Russia (12th in the world) is gaining strength, Belgium (6th in the world) has all the cards to counter the Russian bloc: “These are matches within our grasp. We have a place to hold and we must be able to do so. ‘assume “serene assistant coach of the Cats.
This qualifying tournament will therefore take place in Washington from February 10 to 13, 2022, a long trip for the Cats: “It’s true that this is the small downside. The trip. It will be an advantage for Puerto Rico but on the other hand we will play in Emma Meeseman’s lair and we will suddenly have the public for us” . Emma Meeseman has indeed wore the Washington Mystics jersey for seven seasons between 2013 and 2020 (with one hiatus in 2018). The 28-year-old Belgian, DC icon, even won the WNBA title in 2019 after being voted MVP (best player) of the Finals.
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A second qualification in a row for a World Cup would be historic for Belgium: “It would be really extraordinary but it’s really the goal we have to have in mind. It would be an achievement. Sometimes we have the feeling that we trivialize the results of the Cats. The summer we achieved was everything. simply extraordinary. We must continue on this path, on the work started by Philip Mestdagh, and qualify for a second consecutive World Cup, that would be magnificent “, concluded Pierre Cornia.
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THE GROUPS ARE SET ????????
What are your thoughts after today’s Draw? A looot of exciting match-ups are happening in February, and we can’t wait ????????????#FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/7DmCDwb4zK
— FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) November 23, 2021
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