Even a quiet night from Emma Meesseman couldn’t hide the sheer control Belgium showed whenever they step on the floor. Emmet Ryan watched the Cats moved to 2-0 at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, as Julie Vanloo stole most of the headlines.
We got to see the true maturity of Belgium as a global power in women’s basketball on Sunday. Their win over Puerto Rico at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup was never about the margin. It was all about the approach.
The Cats showed their teeth when necessary but this was largely a composed and measured display ahead of the bigger battles.
More than Meeseman
Given she’s the greatest basketball player the nation has ever produced, it’s not a surprise that Emma Meesseman is automatically who comes to mind when looking at the Belgium national team.
Yet beyond her, there’s so much about this roster that should have other contenders sweating. Julie Vanloo started the game against Puerto Rico like a woman possessed. Meesseman presented her player of the game trophy to Vanloo after Friday’s win, following the loss of the latter’s godfather. This time out she was all to earn it properly.
Then came the middle tandem. Kyara Linskens and Billie Massey are both absolute units that can battle anyone. More importantly, they move neatly and don’t overly lean on their raw power. This is a team built to battle anyone.
Act like you’ve been here before
The difference between when Belgium were on the rise compared to being among the elite can be seen in the attitude. Prior to the big breakthrough in 2023, this was a side that played mentally from underneath. The underdog mentality was needed against top sides.
Even a match-up like Puerto Rico would have seen the side of just five years ago feel under pressure. Now, that has been replaced with expectation. There’s a calm in their play. When Puerto Rico ran them close on the scoreboard, it didn’t phase them.
This was a business meeting, no more and no less. Two EuroBasket Women titles and a fourth place finish at the 2024 Olympics has altered the mindset. These players expect to win every time, including against deeper rosters. Yes, that includes the deepest of them all in the form of the USA.
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Spreading it around
There was clearly one eye on the rest of the tournament for Belgium. The Cats went all the way down the bench to get a look at everyone. That probably explained why this game proved competitive on the scoreboard for longer than anticipated.
Maxuella Lisowa Mbaka got the most usage but, in truth, this was clearly a game where Belgium tried out as many options as possible. Meesseman was really quiet throughout, except when she was really needed.
For Puerto Rico, the steadier performance after Friday’s disaster against Australia will stand to them. Despite being 0-2, they still control their own destiny in terms of progressing to the play-ins. Imani McGee-Stafford was the standout but Arella Guirantes and Trinity San Antonio also acquitted themselves well.
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But this is all about Monday
Let’s not pretend otherwise. Since the draw was made for the tournament, Belgium vs Australia on Monday morning has been the game everyone’s been waiting for. The back-to-back champions of Europe against the reigning Asian champions.
The Opals famously beat Belgium in the bronze medal match at the 2024 Olympics. There’s certainly payback on the mind of the Cats at the World Cup. This promises to be an absolute belter.
Across town, Puerto Rico and Türkiye will duel it out in a straight battle for third. The winner advances to the play-ins. The loser will exit winless. This new format certainly doesn’t lack drama.
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