VILNIUS (Lithuania) - Belgium solidified itself as a rising power in European basketball as they ran away from Denmark 88-65 to secure their ticket to FIBA EuroBasket 2022, making it five straight appearances at the continental showcase.

Denmark were hanging tough for about 25 minutes of the game but Belgium tightened the screws defensively and ended up registering a comfortable win and lock up first place in Group C.

"All week the focus was on coming to the game and being able to compete on both sides of the court. I'm really proud of everybody on our side - staff and players - because we came dedicated to the mission and goal that we had," said Retin Obasohan, who collected 19 points and 5 rebounds.

The 27-year-old guard said it was a special moment to get the Lions - as his country's national team is known as - back to the EuroBasket.

"Goosebumps. It will be my first, god willing. I am super grateful and super happy that we could do it with the group that we have. I am excited about the future," he said.

Ismael Bako is another Belgian leader who would be making his EuroBasket debut next summer. And the 25-year-old big man is thrilled to show the rest of the continent what Belgium can do.

"It feels amazing. Especially now, everyone wants to show that Belgium is a good team in Europe. I think this is a piece of history for us Belgians, so, I feel amazing," said Bako, who picked up 10 points and 4 rebounds in the win. "Our reputation in Europe is going to increase. Now we can finally show to the world that Belgium is not just a team that plays but also can be competitive at the EuroBasket."

Obasohan said one of the keys to this Belgian unit is the makeup of the team.

"We have a good mix of veterans and young players who are hungry for their first EuroBasket experience. So we came here ready and with a chip on our shoulder and a mission to accomplish," he said.

 
While Bako and Obasohan can now look forward to their first taste of the EuroBasket, Belgium has become a regular at the competition with now a fifth straight qualification. But that came after the country failed to qualify for the EuroBasket from 1995 to 2009.

"(Qualifying for a fifth straight EuroBasket) means a lot. But all of the credit for this before these qualifications needs to go to coach Eddy Casteels, who did a great job for 13 years handling the national team, taking it practically from zero to a very good level," said Belgium coach Dario Gjergja, who took over from Casteels in 2018. "I'm happy that I can continue the work at the same level."

Gjergja worked closely with Casteels for many of those years as the Croatian playcaller has won the last eight Belgian league titles as head coach at Oostende. And he knows how much this could mean to the game in Belgium.

"It means a lot for our basketball. There are a lot of guys who are interesting in our country, we just need to start believing more in them," Gjergja said.

Coming into the Qualifiers in a group with European powers Lithuania and Czech Republic, few observers believed that Belgium had a chance to finish in the top spot. But Gjergja and his Lions showed the rest of Europe just how loud and powerful their roar can be - while also putting the opposition next summer on notice.

FIBA