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Belgian Cats on the Rise: Champions of Europe

The Belgian Cats have captured the hearts of many Belgian sports fans with their outstanding performance at the European Women’s Basketball Championship held in Israel and Slovenia. The competition took place in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and Tel Aviv, Israel, from June 15-25, with the Group Phases and Quarterfinal Qualifications taking place in the respective host cities, followed by the Final Phase in Ljubljana.

The Belgian team made history by clinching their first-ever European championship title in a thrilling final against Spain, attracting attention from both within Belgium and internationally. The significance of this achievement was evident, with approximately 2.5 million people in Belgium tuning in to watch the final live on Sporza, while around 450,000 individuals streamed the game via the Sporza app.

Furthermore, all Belgian Cats matches were broadcast live on television and available for streaming through the Sporza website, the Sporza app, or VRT MAX. Radio 1 provided live updates to radio listeners during Belgium’s matches.

The recent success of the Belgian Cats has sparked increased interest in basketball throughout Belgium. The sport is currently more popular than ever before, resulting in a surge of people wanting to join basketball clubs or take up the sport themselves. As a result, some clubs are facing membership restrictions due to overwhelming demand.

The rise of women’s basketball in Belgium is not coincidental, as demonstrated by the significant digital progress seen in the EuroLeague Women, the top professional basketball league for women in Europe. Online viewership increased by an impressive 32% compared to the previous season, while social media interactions rose by an astounding 74% during the 2022-2023 season.

Alongside the European Championship, an app was launched to provide fans with a comprehensive experience of the tournament. The app includes game schedules, player statistics, and news updates, serving as an essential tool for fans to stay engaged with the championship and explore exclusive content.

The Belgian Cats received sponsorship from various companies during the European Championship, including Lotto, Crelan, Volvo, and Spalding. The tournament itself received sponsorship from notable brands such as Nike, Tissot, and Tencent, further highlighting the significant interest and support for women’s basketball.

This victory marks Belgium’s first major basketball tournament win. Prior to this triumph, the Cats had already secured two bronze medals at the European Championships in Valencia 2021 and Prague 2017. In the World Championship held in Sydney, they finished in fifth place last year, preceded by a fourth-place finish in Tenerife 2018. The 2021 Olympics brought disappointment with a seventh-place finish and a narrow loss to the host country, Japan, in the quarterfinals.

The Belgian Cats have proven themselves as one of the top teams in Europe, and the Belgian media firmly believes that they will achieve further success in the future. Their next goal is to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, and they will also strive to qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, set to be held in Germany. The future looks bright for this talented team.

Sources: FIBA, Sporza, Basketball Belgium