BRUSSELS (Belgium) - The levels of love and appreciation for the acheivements of the history-making Cats continues to soar after they were voted as the second best Belgian sports team of the last 25 years.
In a significant poll running across the websites of various IPM group media outlets (DH-Les Sports +, L'Avenir, La Libre, Moustique, Paris Match, LN24) sports followers had to choose their top three teams of the 21st century so far.
And, the Belgian Cats were only just squeezed out by a few votes by the Red Lions - the men's national field hockey team who were crowned World Champions in 2018, European Champions in 2019 and Olympic champions in 2021.
Capturing the hearts of the nation, the Belgian Cats have built up a huge following in their homeland during the last decade or so. Their meteoric rise to prominence has been marked by an incredible fusion of historic success on the court and a dynamic and entertaining style of basketball.
The team has had to contend with multiple head coach changes during their period of unprecedented success, yet has barely missed a beat on what has proven a truly remarkable journey.
The country has also discovered an iconic athlete in the shape of marquee baller Emma Meesseman. Someone who's inspirational leadership and majestic performances have been a tour de force for the Cats.
Making history with a first FIBA Women's EuroBasket medal when they took Third Place in 2017, Belgium booked a first ever trip to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup a year later when they made the Semi-Finals on debut.
Repeating their bronze medal success at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021, they also famously made an Olympic debut in Tokyo - bowing out with a heartbreaking defeat in the Quarter-Finals.
But it was not long before they would put themselves on the map like never before when they were crowned FIBA Women's EuroBasket champions for the first time during 2023 on a memorable night in Ljubljana.
Belgium then somehow retained their cherished silverware two years later in Piraeus at FIBA Women's Eurobasket 2025.
They came back from the dead against Spain in a dramatic and nerve-shredding Final for the ages that will be talked about for years to come.
With trips to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney and Paris 2024 Olympics also on their resume, it's been a breathtaking ride.
They now have the task of possibly making their country even more proud and intensifying their popularity by potentially taking a maiden podium finish at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.
Having already booked a direct ticket to the big show in Berlin later this year, if all goes to plan they could enter the famous competition as one of the teams to push reigning champions and red-hot favorites USA for the prestigious trophy.
But first, Belgium will make the most of competing in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments in March. They will step out in Wuhan against host nation China, along with Brazil, Czechia, Mali and South Sudan.
FIBA