The United States and Belgium have never played each other in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. And most of Team USA’s players are probably unfamiliar with the team except for two players with WNBA experience. Belgium’s oldest player is Ann Wauters, the first pick of the 2000 WNBA Draft. But she’s past her prime and is playing a rather limited role.
But as Mystics and Elena Delle Donne fans, we care more about Emma Meesseman, the cornerstone of the Belgian national team.
The WNBA caught up with Delle Donne at shootaround on Saturday before the semifinals game which starts at 12:30 p.m. ET. You can watch it on live television on ESPNEWS or stream it on WatchESPN or LiveBasketball.TV.
#USABWNT’s @De11eDonne talks facing a familiar face in @EmmaMeesseman and Coach T’s birthday! #FIBAWWC Semifinals ➡️ USA vs. Belgium 12:30 PM ET, ESPNews pic.twitter.com/k9obzFmT8i
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 29, 2018
In the Twitter video above, Delle Donne mentioned that she followed the Belgian national team over the past year and is impressed with their play. Also General Manager and Head Coach Mike Thibault is in attendance as well. Delle Donne wants Thibault to root for Team USA, but of course, he wants to see Meesseman do well in the World Cup.
We’ll see whether the Americans or Belgians come out victorious later this afternoon.