Belgium eyes global glory after historic EuroBasket defense

Belgiums stunning 67-65 victory over Spain on Sunday not only secured them consecutive EuroBasket titles, but also established them as Europes most formidable basketball force with genuine global ambitions.

The Belgian Cats have undergone one of the most remarkable transformations, evolving from an unranked nation in 2016 into a continental powerhouse.

Claiming both their 2023 and 2025 titles despite trailing at half-time in both finals is just one of the extraordinary feats they have achieved, making them only the third nation after the Soviet Union and Spain to successfully defend the EuroBasket crown.

Rising from continental hopefuls to global contenders, they have won four European medals since 2017 and secured fourth- and fifth-place finishes at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups respectively.

Now, they are setting their sights on conquering the global stage at the FIBA World Cup next year and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

Funding from the Olympic Solidarity Team Support Grant for the 2021–24 period, combined with backing from the Belgian Olympic Committee, has accelerated their development.

At last years Paris Olympics, Belgium came tantalisingly close to their breakthrough moment, reaching the semi-finals before losing 81–75 to the eventual runners-up, France, in overtime.

Their subsequent 85–81 bronze-medal loss to Australia left them in fourth place, agonisingly close to their first Olympic podium finish, but demonstrating their ability to compete with the global basketball elite.

Coach Rachid Meziane, who led the team to their first European success, left in December to take up a position with the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA.

Mike Thibault, former coach of the Washington Mystics, took over in January and has continued to propel the team forward.

MASTERFUL EXECUTION WITH GENERATIONAL BLEND

Under Thibaults guidance, Belgium delivered a superb EuroBasket campaign, topping Group C after victories over Portugal, Montenegro and co-hosts Czech