Bullets Forever - EuroBasket Women 2017: Emma Meesseman leads Team Belgium to bronze medal"Ain't No Luck"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48097/BulletsForever-fv.png2017-09-07T18:00:47-04:00http://www.bulletsforever.com/rss/stream/108451392017-09-07T18:00:47-04:002017-09-07T18:00:47-04:00Belgium ranked 28th best in the world after women’s continental competitions
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<figcaption>Joe Klamar, Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="Ir8ORX">The Belgium women’s national basketball team was unranked heading into EuroBasket Women earlier this June. But we knew things were going to change after they won the bronze medal.</p>
<p id="3b9TOJ">All of the continental competitions have been completed, and rankings have been redone. Belgium is now <a href="http://www.fiba.basketball/rankingwomen">28th in the world</a>, and 14th in Europe.</p>
<p id="JfVIQR">The ranking is a bit deceptive however. This includes two Olympic cycles (eight years), and all of Belgium’s 30 points came from just one tournament in the last two years. </p>
<p id="5vGuqK">When you think about it, Belgium’s more like a Top 15 team in the world given that Emma Meesseman is their leader, and most of their core players are in their mid-20’s. That’s scary as this team is in a Golden Age of sorts. And let’s keep in mind that they’re going to get points for playing in the FIBA Women’s World Cup next year regardless of where they finish so they’re only moving up from here.</p>
https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/9/7/16271044/belgium-womens-basketball-fiba-ranking-2017Albert Lee2017-08-31T19:22:34-04:002017-08-31T19:22:34-04:00Markkanen showed his Meesseman impression in Finland’s big win vs. France
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<img alt="2017 Las Vegas Summer League - Dallas Mavericks v Chicago Bulls" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/146VB7SlXx1es8L50uLVznlZtoE=/0x0:2214x1476/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56465675/810901496.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Finnish post may not speak Dutch like Emma. But he speaks fluent fundamentals like she does.</p> <p id="wEIhzN">Howard Megdal of CBS Sports likes <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> post <span>Lauri Markkanen</span>. Last May in a pre-NBA Draft preview, he summed up the former Arizona star’s strengths and weaknesses in the video below: </p>
<div id="yRdj8S"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eVfYPh5eaSQ?rel=0&" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="ciZmPd">Markkanen is a strong shooter and has good footwork for his position. But it may take him some time before he can play consistently on defense. Megdal believed that Markkanen could be a Top-5 pick, but he was picked 7th to the <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> and <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/2017/6/22/15858252/timberwolves-agree-to-trade-with-bulls-to-acquire-jimmy-butler-lavine-dunn">traded to the Bulls in the Jimmy Butler deal</a>.</p>
<p id="hL0AA3">After an <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/2017/7/16/15977584/5-things-we-learned-from-bulls-summer-league">up-and-down Summer League</a>, Markkanen suited up for Team Finland in EuroBasket 2017. Like most European NBA players, Markkanen is the most talented player on his team. And on Thursday, the Finnish defeated France in overtime, 86-84 when he scored 22 points on 9 of 15 shooting, and drained two three pointers, including one with just over a minute left in overtime. You can watch his highlights below:</p>
<div id="oo4tOe"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/crx7boeRce0?rel=0&" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="IKQ4DZ">The highlights are nice to see, but there’s another angle to all of this. Markkanen showed an uncanny ability to score instantly while cutting to the hoop, he knows how to use his feet in the post to make better shots, and he’ll make threes just because it’s icing on the cake in one of the biggest basketball games in Finnish history.</p>
<p id="PRcXqL">Sounds a lot like what someone in D.C. does in <strong>HER </strong>sleep: Emma Meesseman that is.</p>
<p id="838atA">Meesseman may not be able to dunk like Markkanen did for the Finnish crowd, but she had a similar performance when she led Belgium to a <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/6/22/15852522/belgium-vs-italy-final-score-emma-meesseman-eurobasket-women-2017">79-66 win over Italy</a> in the EuroBasket Women 2017 quarterfinals last June. In that game she scored 28 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and scored with her post footwork, and her athletic ability which is underrated to be honest:</p>
<div id="S5Lkgl"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Ho4QvfcyOE?rel=0&" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="sRpNjE">Earlier this August, Megdal, who also hosts the Locked on Women’s Basketball podcast, interviewed San Antonio Stars rookie guard Kelsey Plum. </p>
<p id="ejT8M7">In the podcast, they talked about a number of topics, but one was about comparing men’s players to women’s players since it’s not uncommon to compare women’s players to men’s players. And that’s when Megdal told Plum that he thought Markkanen’s game reminds him of Meesseman’s because he didn’t think there was a men’s player who was a good comparison. Plum agreed with that at the 14:40 minute mark of the podcast (or <a href="https://audioboom.com/posts/6189320-locked-on-women-s-basketball-episode-71-san-antonio-stars-guard-kelsey-plum">you can click here</a>):</p>
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<p id="R8RHJf">Megdal and Plum both agreed that comparisons need to go both ways, and it’s a way for people to appreciate the men and women who play basketball just a bit more.</p>
<p id="SWkccH">Do I think Lauri Markkanen is the NBA’s Emma Meesseman? In one of our <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/2017/8/12/16125166/links-wizards-schedule-capital-one-arena-mystics-playoff-push-2017">recent links posts</a>, I noted that they share similar skillsets, but Markkanen was a big more perimeter oriented than Meesseman is. In short, I was a bit hesitant to totally buy into that comparison.</p>
<p id="HB1TMN">After Thursday’s performance though, I am convinced that Markkanen plays like a male version of Emma Meesseman. That would be a very scary thing for the Bulls over the next several years.</p>
<p id="g5yZZZ">Like Meesseman did in EuroBasket Women, Markkanen put his country on his back and scored when it mattered most. The Finland men’s national team still has a long way to go before matching the Belgian women’s bronze medal finish. But if Markkanen can keep this up for the rest of EuroBasket, the Finnish won’t be easy to deal with in the group or elimination stages to say the very least. </p>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/2017/8/31/16236832/lauri-markkanen-eurobasket-2017-finland-vs-france-emma-meessemanAlbert Lee2017-07-16T14:21:14-04:002017-07-16T14:21:14-04:00With recent injuries, the Mystics need “EuroBasket Emma” in action
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<figcaption>Michal Cizek, Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="LMnbLa">Last month, we saw Emma Meesseman lead the Belgian women’s national basketball team to a bronze medal finish in EuroBasket Women 2017. </p>
<p id="LOE9Br">You can check out <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/2/20/11081098/eurobasket-women-2017-qualifiers-emma-meesseman-leads-team-belgium">our StoryStream</a> to see all the highlights that Meesseman and the Belgian Cats provided. But if there’s one game that is a capstone of her abilities, look no further than her 28 point, 11 rebound, and 5 assist performance against Italy in the quarterfinals<a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/6/22/15852522/belgium-vs-italy-final-score-emma-meesseman-eurobasket-women-2017"> when they won, 79-66</a>:</p>
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<p id="2jgKWv">The statistical production is great, but her efficiency was even better. Meesseman shot 11 of 18 from the field and even got to the free throw line seven times in nearly 36 minutes of action. That’s a free throw rate (or free throw attempts divided by shot attempts) of 38.8 percent, well over the 28.23 percent free throw rate she had for EuroBasket. In the WNBA, her free throw rate never went above 21.6 percent, which was last season.</p>
<p id="rbzyVU">When I saw Meesseman play the way she did in EuroBasket, I was happy that she led her country to their best-ever finish in the tournament. She took the reins as her country’s franchise player and figures to be for years to come. </p>
<p id="GLe6vC">For those of you who think Belgium just suddenly showed up out of the blue, it’s not true. Though Belgium was unranked heading into EuroBasket Women, many weren’t surprised to them make a big run because of team chemistry.</p>
<p id="8K8hTM">Meesseman is certainly the biggest star from Belgium and led their U-18 national team to the U-18 EuroBasket title in 2011. But there multiple senior team members who were part of that team as well. Starting point guard Julie Vanloo and swingman Antonia Delaere were part of Meesseman’s supporting cast for that run. </p>
<p id="yB78cl">Back in the day, Meesseman played for the Ieper Blue Cats youth team, where she also played with some current senior team members. Vanloo is one of them as well as reserve guard Hanne Mestdagh. Belgium’s head coach, Philip Mestdagh was the Ieper Blue Cats’ coach when Meesseman was there. And there’s no doubt that Meesseman spent plenty of time with Kim Mestdagh as well who’s a few years older than her.</p>
<p id="BAwWuo">Therefore, when there’s a strong youth development system, and an uber-skilled player, it’s not surprising that a very young Belgian national team can advance to the semifinals against the traditional powers who had older rosters.</p>
<p id="qD8h7C">Seeing Meesseman do what she did with her fellow Iepenaars and Belgians is great on a personal level. And it also provided us a glimpse of what she could do in Washington. The disconnect is that we haven’t seen the EuroBasket Women version of Meesseman here on a consistent basis.</p>
<p id="wtRrYi">In the past, Meesseman was tentative on the court and perhaps even off of it. After all, she experienced culture shock by coming to America for the first time as a Mystics training camp member in 2013. But her skills were apparent from the moment she stepped onto the court, enough to the point where Mike Thibault traded Crystal Langhorne to the Seattle Storm the following year so Meesseman can start and grow into a bigger role.</p>
<p id="fJuxgS">We’ve seen Meesseman earn an All-Star berth in 2015 and she would have done so again last season if the WNBA held a game during an Olympic year. Though the spotlight was on Elena Delle Donne this season after she was traded to Washington, Meesseman always figured to be a major part of the Mystics’ plan to be in the conversation for a WNBA championship sooner rather than later. To that end, she continued to grow professionally by playing alongside superstars like Diana Taurasi in Russia, and now we saw her lead Belgium to the bronze medal in EuroBasket Women.</p>
<p id="7ZXTNl">I get it, the Mystics are “Elena Delle Donne’s team” now. But in life, things happen at a moment’s notice. Players get injured, and it opens opportunities for others to take the reins. </p>
<p id="sWVPMj">Unfortunately, Tayler Hill is <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/7/16/15975664/tayler-hill-right-acl-tear-announcement-mystics-wnba-2017">out for the rest of this season</a> and we aren’t sure <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/7/16/15978538/elena-delle-donne-ankle-sprain-update-mystics-2017">how long Delle Donne will be out</a> either. The narrative this season made it easy — sometimes a bit too easy — for me to say that Meesseman’s role will be diminished because of her EuroBasket absence, or her reluctance to <a href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/11/24/13727716/emma-meesseman-interview-stephen-curry-comparison-shot-taking-mystics-2016">“play American.”</a></p>
<p id="DzXSeb">Sunday’s news was bad. But it’s also an opportunity for us to see the next step in Meesseman’s development here in the United States. We know Meesseman has the skills to be a Top 10 WNBA player. Her body of work shows just that. Hell, even WNBA GM’s gave her a <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/5/11/15623400/elena-delle-donne-emma-meesseman-2017-wnba-top-10-mvp-candidates">shot at being the WNBA MVP this season</a>.</p>
<p id="9MgZKD">But as efficient as she is, the only question is can she reconcile her ideal way of playing in Europe with some of the things we see more often in American basketball like players sometimes “gunning for shots” or taking shot attempts just to get to the free throw line? If Meesseman can reconcile this “thing” she has about American basketball like some European NBA stars (ex - Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker) have, then I have no doubt that she’s officially arrived as a WNBA superstar. Here’s hoping that she can, because the Mystics need her more than ever right now.</p>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/7/16/15910356/emma-meesseman-mystics-eurobasket-women-2017-analysisAlbert Lee2017-06-26T18:58:49-04:002017-06-26T18:58:49-04:00Meesseman wins All-Star Five award in EuroBasket Women 2017
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<img alt="EuroBasket Emma showed up, no one else did." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1LMuv_pOkXfVUMaJqsZWYOzuMCw=/0x0:5590x3727/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55457891/GettyImages_699624834.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Michal Cizek, Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="rzoP72">Emma Meesseman was named one of <a href="http://www.fiba.com/eurobasketwomen/2017/news/mvp-torrens-leads-all-star-five">EuroBasket Women 2017’s All-Star Five</a> last Sunday after leading <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/6/25/15870640/emma-meesseman-belgium-eurobasket-women-bronze-medal-win-vs-greece">Belgium to the bronze medal</a>. Spain forward Alba Torrens won the MVP of the tournament, while Evanthia Maltsi of Greece, Endene Miyem of France, and Cecilia Zandalasini of Italy rounded out the rest of the team.</p>
<p id="M3OGt2">Meesseman averaged 17.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in EuroBasket Women 2017 in six games. Her scoring took a hit in the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/6/24/15868372/belgium-vs-spain-final-score-eurobasket-women-2017-semifinal">semifinals to Spain</a>, the eventual winners when she scored just five points. As you might expect, the Spanish smothered her when Meesseman had the ball, but she still managed to dish five assists and grab six rebounds anyway. That’s what makes Meesseman a special talent. She is just one of those players who knows how to get something going ... even if she can’t find her shots. </p>
<p id="LiVshd">Her best performance <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/6/22/15852522/belgium-vs-italy-final-score-emma-meesseman-eurobasket-women-2017">came against Italy</a> in the quarterfinals when she scored 28 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished five assists, blocked five shots, and stole the ball twice.</p>
<div id="JiXQrr"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Ho4QvfcyOE?rel=0&amp;controls=2" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="XKd59A">And she even<a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/6/16/15817780/emma-meesseman-driving-layup-highlight-defender-slip-belgium-vs-montenegro"> knows how to make defenders fall</a> in her presence.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Emma Meesseman doesn't need to crossover to make defenders slip. <a href="https://t.co/La1kV1ueZW">pic.twitter.com/La1kV1ueZW</a></p>— Albert Lee (@aleeinthedmv) <a href="https://twitter.com/aleeinthedmv/status/875741122458419204">June 16, 2017</a>
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<p id="O6PpBd">I’m really happy to see Meesseman perform the way she did in EuroBasket Women. Hopefully, we can see this type of game for the Mystics later this season.</p>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/6/26/15877338/emma-meesseman-all-star-five-award-eurobasket-women-2017Albert Lee2017-06-25T16:19:07-04:002017-06-25T16:19:07-04:00Meesseman and Belgium win the EuroBasket Women bronze medal!
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<figcaption>FIBA snapshot</figcaption>
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<p id="EXH70c">Emma Meesseman’s Belgian national squad pulled off what most people thought would be impossible. Overall, they had quarterfinal aspirations. But now, they are on the podium as the third best team in Europe! The Belgians beat Greece, 78-45 on Sunday afternoon.</p>
<p id="zUf6p3">This is a history making performance for Belgium. Not just because they qualified for their first World Cup next year and have a shot at an Olympic berth. This is also because this is Belgium’s best performance ever in EuroBasket. Very few saw this coming!</p>
<p id="jhSkOp">King Filip already gave his congratulations (in Dutch):</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Proficiat <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBelgianCats">@TheBelgianCats</a> ! Brons! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasketWomen2017?src=hash">#EuroBasketWomen2017</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CongratsCats?src=hash">#CongratsCats</a></p>— Belgian Royal Palace (@MonarchieBe) <a href="https://twitter.com/MonarchieBe/status/879052675563782144">June 25, 2017</a>
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<p id="3ukRAm">I think this has been on Meesseman’s mind for a while.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">One day I'll be there! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NumberOneDream?src=hash">#NumberOneDream</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympics?src=hash">#Olympics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/chasingdreams?src=hash">#chasingdreams</a></p>— Emma Meesseman (@EmmaMeesseman) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmaMeesseman/status/761700234128949248">August 5, 2016</a>
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<p id="GbYUcL">This could have been a one woman show, but it was not.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hell yeahhhhhhh!!!! We deserve this! I absolutely love this team! </p>— Emma Meesseman (@EmmaMeesseman) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmaMeesseman/status/879036024718077953">June 25, 2017</a>
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<p id="1ch8U3"><strong>This is such a special accomplishment</strong>, I hope Mystics fans can appreciate it. Winning is winning. This Belgian Cats team really embodies what works for a defensive minded team. Chill factor ten. We all love players that emote. </p>
<p id="0W9XUc">But what if they don’t and they pull off come-back after come-back? And have <a href="http://www.fiba.com/eurobasketwomen/2017/playerstats">the second highest efficiency rating in the tournament by Emma Meesseman.</a> I can assure you that she did not have an EDD like teammate on the Cats. </p>
<p id="sJFDml">The Cats just have something else.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/TheBelgianCats">@TheBelgianCats</a> make history in emphatic fashion and claim the bronze medal at FIBA <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasketWomen2017?src=hash">#EuroBasketWomen2017</a> .<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/ytyR0Odd0V">https://t.co/ytyR0Odd0V</a> <a href="https://t.co/rdO2sxgehc">pic.twitter.com/rdO2sxgehc</a></p>— FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/879051581559193600">June 25, 2017</a>
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<p id="B1Wlfy">While Meesseman has been away, gelling with her national team, this was a golden opportunity for Elena Delle Donne and Tayler Hill to get acquainted. I thought they would have nine wins by July. They are two short and playing the Sky in just a couple hours as of the time of this post</p>
<p id="Us2YgR"><a href="http://www.fiba.com/eurobasketwomen/2017"><strong>I r</strong><strong>eally </strong><strong>hope that the Mystics </strong><strong>watched</strong><strong> these games.</strong></a></p>
<p id="lm3TpQ">I have to say again that Marjorie Capreaux, Kim Mestdagh and Ann Wauters seem to bring out the best in Emma Meesseman. </p>
<p id="TC2jc2">Let me be clear. I would love to see Kim Mestdagh get at least a tryout with the Mystics. There was a lot to like from the 27 year old. Quickness, toughness, shots.</p>
<p id="mWpUl9">But we could have seen<a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/6/19/15831464/belgium-marjorie-carpreaux-anklebreaking-crossover-eurobasket-women-2017"> highlights from Marjorie Capreaux</a> during this tournament for days.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A strong start for <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBelgianCats">@TheBelgianCats</a> , who are up by 11 at HT. <a href="https://twitter.com/AnnWauters12">@AnnWauters12</a> with 10 . <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasketWomen2017?src=hash">#EuroBasketWomen2017</a><br><br> <a href="https://t.co/Hz9AyO0s6j">https://t.co/Hz9AyO0s6j</a> <a href="https://t.co/XxrqWGpURo">pic.twitter.com/XxrqWGpURo</a></p>— FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/879017670435319808">June 25, 2017</a>
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<p id="UqDxWp">She was so fun to watch. This whole team was. The Cats need more size and experience. But they have young players that could help with one of those two things. Now, they have a year to figure it out.</p>
<p id="lMzHqK">...</p>
<p id="qLn2lX">But kudos to Emma!</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/EmmaMeesseman">@EmmaMeesseman</a><br>On behalf of all Mystics and <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletsForever">@BulletsForever</a> fans<br><br>Congratulations on your Medal and your leadership. Well Done. <a href="https://t.co/7kOo8nxhZM">pic.twitter.com/7kOo8nxhZM</a></p>— кукольный Дональд (@ElleLovesTennis) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElleLovesTennis/status/879036503959060481">June 25, 2017</a>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/6/25/15870640/emma-meesseman-belgium-eurobasket-women-bronze-medal-win-vs-greeceElle Ward2017-06-24T15:04:03-04:002017-06-24T15:04:03-04:00Belgium loses in the EuroBasket Women semifinals 68-52 to Spain
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<img alt="Washington Mystics F Emma Meesseman defends Seattle Storm G Sue Bird as she attempts a shot." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WvCLcAdgEOfuRDdTazH8yHvJxG4=/0x136:2048x1501/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55429979/14324290_10211132806142946_2217581531078752756_o.0.jpg" />
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<p id="F8c7MZ">Emma Meesseman’s Belgian Cats lost their first game of the EuroBasket Women 2017 to powerhouse Spain on Saturday, 52-68. They will, however, be playing for the Bronze tomorrow!</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We couldn't win from a strong <a href="https://twitter.com/baloncestofeb">@baloncestofeb</a> tonight. Focus on tomorrow's game for the bronze medal at 18h00! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasketWomen2017?src=hash">#EuroBasketWomen2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/r8pHyzSzDC">pic.twitter.com/r8pHyzSzDC</a></p>— Belgian Cats (@TheBelgianCats) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBelgianCats/status/878672556299038721">June 24, 2017</a>
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<p id="GVvA7J"><strong>Emma Meesseman was held down completely</strong> by this very experienced, talented Spanish national team, led by Dream forward Sancho Lyttle and Alba Torrens. </p>
<p id="62V6lj">It should come as no surprise that despite a five points performance, she led the team with five assists. And managed six rebounds, a steal and two blocked shots. This Spanish squad has overwhelmed everyone and that is why they have been the odds on favorite to win the whole tournament.</p>
<p id="Li4yHi"><strong>Regardless of the score</strong>, the Cats had some brilliant moments. They can slash to the basket like nobody’s business.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Spain is having their way ...but there have been flashes of BRILLIANCE from the Cats...I have to laugh instead of cry <a href="https://t.co/T4I8W6kVZX">pic.twitter.com/T4I8W6kVZX</a></p>— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletsForever/status/878661509953531904">June 24, 2017</a>
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<p id="4jVSqs"><strong>This was a game that is used as a benchmark.</strong> I think the Meesseman led Cats have a very bright future with Kim Mestdagh and Antonia Delaere, who are the Tayler Hill and better shooting Tierra Ruffin-Pratt on the squad.</p>
<p id="POrJPU">A third place game tomorrow puts them in the World Cup and a dream for Emma Meesseman.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">One day I'll be there! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NumberOneDream?src=hash">#NumberOneDream</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympics?src=hash">#Olympics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/chasingdreams?src=hash">#chasingdreams</a></p>— Emma Meesseman (@EmmaMeesseman) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmaMeesseman/status/761700234128949248">August 5, 2016</a>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/6/24/15868372/belgium-vs-spain-final-score-eurobasket-women-2017-semifinalElle Ward2017-06-23T16:00:01-04:002017-06-23T16:00:01-04:00Emma Meesseman and Belgium take on Spain in EuroBasket women semifinals
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<img alt="Belgium will need every bit of this." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2J5UyBhwwaRK2hI7Mt7f9ObvVLU=/47x0:554x338/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55419135/belgium.0.gif" />
<figcaption><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA5oIzbpkGQ">FIBA video snapshot</a></figcaption>
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<p id="OZiey2">Belgium made history with their semifinals appearance in the EuroBasket Women 2017 tournament. It isn’t just their first appearance in the semifinals. Their win over Italy on Thursday punched their ticket to the 2018 FIBA World Cup, their first ever.</p>
<p id="1Jzx2u">It is so historic, that they got a shout out from King Filip, the Belgian King!</p>
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<p lang="da" dir="ltr">Proficiat <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBelgianCats">@TheBelgianCats</a> ! Halve finale EK! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CongratsCats?src=hash">#CongratsCats</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasketWomen2017?src=hash">#EuroBasketWomen2017</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/proud?src=hash">#proud</a></p>— Belgian Royal Palace (@MonarchieBe) <a href="https://twitter.com/MonarchieBe/status/877978974676148224">June 22, 2017</a>
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<aside id="Py8Vgh"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Chelsea GK Thibaut Courtois gives shoutout to the Belgian Cats","url":"https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/6/23/15862304/thibaut-courtois-belgium-womens-basketball-team-congratulations-mention"}]}'></div></aside><p id="iN5IfB"><strong>Clearly, every expectation has been met and the results are in.</strong> The Cats were successful. But I have a sneaking suspicion that they want to make a statement against, arguably, their toughest opponent on Saturday, Spain.</p>
<p id="KBTLbg">One of the best duos in EuroLeague are Emma Meesseman and Alba Torrens when they are playing together on UMMC Ekaterinburg. </p>
<p id="qI3C0I">They share continental and domestic championships. They also have many ridiculous highlights that involve others in their lineup like Nika Baric, Diana Taurasi, and Brittney Griner. UMMC lost three games and won the Russian championship, beating the EuroLeague champs, Dynamo Kursk in a five game series. They are good together.</p>
<p id="ENCO30"><strong>And so </strong><strong>Meesse and Torrens</strong><strong> know each other well</strong><strong>. Now, they</strong><strong> are facing off.</strong></p>
<p id="DzVuyA">For Belgium, this game should very much revolve around their teammates. I expect to see some guard on guard, umm, chippy-ness.</p>
<p id="hrGwnM">Just like in the Italy contest, paint points made the difference. The backcourt has to harass like there is no tomorrow. But, thankfully there is.</p>
<p id="Ks4eAQ">The World Cup in Spain next September!</p>
<p id="YCWc4C"><strong>Ann Wauters has been playing possessed basketball,</strong> and I hope she can grab a bunch of rebounds while Meesse is occupied.</p>
<p id="EnOdV5">Spain can go nuts. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/baloncestofeb">@baloncestofeb</a> confirm their status of favorites and reach the FIBA <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasketWomen2017?src=hash">#EuroBasketWomen2017</a> Semi-Finals .<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/WyLukMzF0I">https://t.co/WyLukMzF0I</a> <a href="https://t.co/dRmaqM1cjL">pic.twitter.com/dRmaqM1cjL</a></p>— FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/877967553200611329">June 22, 2017</a>
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<p id="TrjyJL"><strong>So it is essential</strong> that the rest of the team continues to play hands up, great foot-work fundamentals. That is exactly what got them here. </p>
<p id="pvJTLd">Kim Mestdagh can easily hit 40 percent of her threes. And grab four or five steals. </p>
<p id="AToVVd">They say 'the fish rots from the head down', well this eight second violation, one that doesn't show up in individual stats, gave the Cats the winning possession against Russia. </p>
<p id="ZKa3BO">This team has a leader.</p>
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</div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BVe1WCaFla9/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">THIS HUSSLE !! TEAM #Belgium with the upset! #EuroBasket2017 #Meesseman #Mestdagh #Mystics #Wnba</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Elle (@ellelovesbb_) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2017-06-18T12:58:52+00:00">Jun 18, 2017 at 5:58am PDT</time></p>
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<p id="YbL5Zj"><strong>And the most encouraging thing</strong> for team Belgium, is that they have the <a href="http://www.fiba.com/eurobasketwomen/2017/Emma-Meesseman">best player, </a>and <a href="http://www.fiba.com/eurobasketwomen/2017/teamstats">best tandem </a>in the tournament. Emma Meesseman and Ann Wauters.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">They are called the strongest duo of the european championship.<br>"Alone we can do so little;together we can do so much"<br>Belgian cats rock! <a href="https://t.co/NPllGITu0s">pic.twitter.com/NPllGITu0s</a></p>— lot wielfaert (@LWielfaert) <a href="https://twitter.com/LWielfaert/status/878122899655315457">June 23, 2017</a>
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<p id="VFvqwH">...</p>
<h3 id="tQzof2">So perhaps we can show Belgium some love?</h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The 1st FIBA <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroBasketWomen2017?src=hash">#EuroBasketWomen2017</a> Semi-Final tips-off in 24hrs ⚠️. <a href="https://twitter.com/baloncestofeb">@baloncestofeb</a> v <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBelgianCats">@TheBelgianCats</a> . Predictions ⬇️❓</p>— FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/878237442897092610">June 23, 2017</a>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/6/23/15861248/emma-meesseman-belgium-vs-spain-eurobasket-women-semifinals-previewElle Ward2017-06-23T12:32:56-04:002017-06-23T12:32:56-04:00Chelsea GK Thibaut Courtois gives shoutout to the Belgian Cats
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<img alt="Arsenal v Chelsea - The Emirates FA Cup Final" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/X0Pec0kyORcQ6Pbz7gykv20KuA8=/0x0:2451x1634/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55413445/689048974.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="Mx8duN">Emma Meesseman and Belgium have been killing it in EuroBasket Women 2017, where they made the semifinals and clinched a FIBA World Cup berth for the first time in history. As you might expect, people in Belgium are starting to turn their heads.</p>
<p id="ZKmHQ1">That includes some other famous sports stars, including some of Belgium’s most popular athletes like Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.</p>
<p id="xp0ZPm">On Thursday, he gave a shoutout to the Belgian women’s national team after their win over Italy on Thursday. In a tweet, he wrote, “Congratulations Belgian Cats! Now, onto the final!” in Dutch.</p>
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<p lang="da" dir="ltr">Proficiat <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBelgianCats">@TheBelgianCats</a> !! Op naar de finale nu! </p>— Thibaut Courtois (@thibautcourtois) <a href="https://twitter.com/thibautcourtois/status/877878418586484737">June 22, 2017</a>
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<p id="bjuCGR">It isn’t the first time Courtois mentioned Belgium’s women’s basketball team in social media. He retweeted <a href="http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/matchcenter/mc_zaalsporten/cat_basketbal/comp_EK-basketbal-vrouwen-2017/1.3001732">a Flemish recap</a> of their win over Russia last week.</p>
<p id="7tOqCf">It’s nice to see that one of Belgium’s biggest sports stars is supporting Meesseman and the rest of the Belgian team as they continue their historic run. </p>
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https://www.bulletsforever.com/mystics/2017/6/23/15862304/thibaut-courtois-belgium-womens-basketball-team-congratulations-mentionAlbert Lee