BRUSSELS (Belgium) - The coronavirus lockdown and postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games has cast a cloud for everyone, although Belgian star Emma Meesseman is managing to find more than one silver lining.

You would be forgiven for thinking that the reigning EuroLeague Women champion and WNBA Finals MVP would be gutted at having to grind to a shuddering stop.

Not least, after the pulsating experience at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifiers back in February when Belgium punched their first-ever ticket to the showpiece event. 

It was an experience made even sweeter by doing it in front of their home fans in Ostend. And, as usual, Meesseman was the standout, collecting TISSOT MVP honors at the tournament and riding the crest of a seemingly unstoppable basketball wave - until the pandemic put a hold on everything.

LEARNING FROM THE LAST DANCE 

Like many players worldwide, Meesseman has been using the time to soak up unexpected time with the family and inevitably, enjoying the acclaimed documentary The Last Dance, about the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan.

The 27-year-old had not even been born when the Bulls had already banked a pair of NBA championships. So, sat with her family and especially her mother, who also played the game during this era, it has been a valuable learning experience.

"I watched it with my family and I don't think I have ever been able to watch anything about basketball with them, because I am never here," smiled Meesseman.

"I love it. I think it's really interesting for people to see how professional athletes live and how the character is.

"My mum really remembers that time. Whenever she saw an image of Larry Bird -- who is one of her favorite players -- she was really happy. A lot of people say I can learn from him or they tell her that I can learn from him.

"She stayed in Belgium to play and with the national team, so I think I actually have more experience of the kind of lives that they showed in The Last Dance."

"I DIDN'T WANT TO BE THE ONE TO SAY 'GIVE THE BALL TO ME - I'M GOING TO DO IT, SO EVERYBODY STEP ASIDE'... I HATE THAT KIND OF BASKETBALL."- Meesseman

She continued: "For me, the most special part was seeing how Michael Jordan was with his team. He was the biggest star and had to be selfish a little to get to the top, but at the same time, he learned how to make his team better.

"That was the biggest part I will take away from it - you really need a team. It's something I have always known, but it confirmed it for me."

As one of the best players in the women's global game, Meesseman has also found the documentary to have reflected on her own role and development. How sometimes she is needed to carry her team, even if she has been naturally reluctant to do so.

"It's something I have had to learn throughout the years. I am always a team player and need a team around me in order to play good," she said.

"Coaches had to tell me that sometimes the team needs you to step it up and just take the ball and go. That was something I just did not have in me.

"I didn't want to be the one to say 'give the ball to me' and that I am going to do it - so everybody step aside. I hate that kind of basketball actually. I just wanted to pass the ball around, to give and go, or pick and roll and all that stuff.

"But this is something that changed in America this past season when I realized that sometimes it is okay to do that. If you have the confidence from your teammates, from the coaches and the staff - I should just do it.

"It's easier of course when you do it and then the ball goes in and you get confidence. If I think about it now, I would never had done that, say when I was 22 years old. I would never have been able to take over in games. That is the part where confidence comes into it so much."

 CAN THE BELGIAN CATS REGAIN THE MOMENTUM?

There's little doubt that amongst all the nations who had been originally heading to Tokyo for this July, Belgium could lay claim to having consumed and stored up the most momentum.

Yet despite their dream being paused for 12 months, Meesseman is adamant that they can still use fan power and the weight of expectation to drive them onwards and keep the excitement and momentum going.

"For Belgium, we are the only women's team that is going so it is extra special for us," she explained.

"I think we are also only the second Belgian team in history to go to the Olympics. People are really rooting for us and giving even more support to us and so that makes the feeling of honor even greater.

"Once we step on that plane, we are going to feel so proud and I think that's the first and biggest feeling we're going to feel when we are there, because you are part of history

"Over the years for the Belgian Cats, the fan base has grown so much and probably like everyone saw in Ostend, it was crazy. People are following us, they like us and they miss us on the court right now," added Meesseman.

"People were buying tickets for practice games and even for fan days - even though we had never really had those before. They were looking forward to it (the Olympics) and it is sad for them, but I know that next year is going to be the same.

"We just have to be a little more patient because it's going to happen anyway."

 READY FOR A SPECIAL SEND-OFF

As well as the general excitement around next year's outing at the Olympics, there is also a big focus on one of the most legendary figures in the women's game calling time on her amazing career.

Ann Wauters will now be 40 years old when she takes part next year. She had hoped to have signed off in the coming months, but despite the delay until 2021, Meesseman is confident it is still going to be quite the leaving party for her teammate.

She insisted: "We are all happy to go because it is the first time for everybody, but for her, it's a little extra special.

"I think when you know you want to end your career, but there is only one thing in the whole world that is missing from your bucket list, and then you are able to do it, it is an amazing way to end.

"I am really hoping she will be able to hang in there for one more year and then just be there (in Tokyo) to enjoy it.

"Knowing that will be the last time on the court and you are the one deciding when to stop? I think there is no better way to end a career and especially considering the kind of career she has had.

"I will be extremely proud to share that moment with her in the future and I think it's going to be very special," concluded Meesseman.

FIBA