Mestdagh ready to go for two in a row
BRUSSELS (FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers) - After their historic efforts at the Final Round in Prague, Belgium playcaller Philip Mestdagh is determined to continue the momentum in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers.
Belgium made everyone sit up and take notice on their return to the elite after an absence of a decade. They not only qualified for the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, but also took bronze as they landed on the podium for the first time.
| Belgium 16-player squad for FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers | |||
| Hind Ben Abdelkader | Julie Allemand | Marjorie Carpreaux | Antonia Delaere |
| Sofie Hendrickx | Laura Henket | Kyara Linskens | Jaleesa Maes |
| Emma Meesseman | Hanne Mestdagh | Kim Mestdagh | Heleen Nauwelaers |
| Jana Raman | Laure Resimont | Julie Vanloo | Ann Wauters |
After naming a 16-player squad for their Qualifiers next month, Mestdagh is looking for his team to push on and make it to Latvia and Serbia in 2019.
"The Belgian Cats have benefited from a favorable draw," he stated.
"Switzerland, Germany and the Czech Republic are winnable [games], so we can qualify to the Women's EuroBasket for the second time in a row."
The squad is led by All-Star Five member Emma Meesseman and her legendary frontcourt partner Ann Wauters. Julie Vanloo will continue to direct the traffic from the backcourt, with Kim Mestdagh and Antonia Delaere offering great options on the wing.
Teammates in @YDU_Melekleri Focus on our goals => Having fun whilst @MestdaghKim #photodennisesser pic.twitter.com/pXD5rzvTrO
— Ann Wauters (@AnnWauters12) September 8, 2017
Belgium now also have added depth and choices to make in the guard spots, with two notable additions. The stellar-talented Julie Allemand and Hind Ben Abdelkader both missed out on this year's landmark adventure through injury but are now back in contention.
Belgium will start out with a contest in Switzerland, then entertain Germany in an intriguing derby game. They will also get the chance to go back onto Czech soil in February.
FIBA
