The Japan vs Mali 2022 FIBA World Cup game will take place on September 22 at Sydney SuperDome.
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The Japan vs Mali 2022 FIBA World Cup game will take place on September 22 at Sydney SuperDome. When Belgium stepped out at the last edition of the FIBA Women`s Basketball World Cup they won the hearts of fans with a breathtaking debut and only just missed out on the podium. Making a ride all the way to the Semi-Finals with some beautiful play, their impact was so big that after sweeping aside France in the Quarter-Finals, it prompted an opinion piece entitled ‘The day Belgium saved women’s basketball.’ Since 2018 in Tenerife, they have won another FIBA Women’s EuroBasket bronze medal and also played at a first-ever Olympic Games when they could have made the Semi-Finals but lost a heartbreaker against Japan in the Quarter-Finals. But there’s also been some significant changes too, with head coach Philip Mestdagh replaced after Tokyo 2020 by Valery Demory and experienced leaders Kim Mestdagh and Ann Wauters both retiring. You can also throw in being beaten by Bosnia and Herzegovina in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers.
All of the above feeds into the intriguing question of whether Belgium is well placed (or not) to make history in Sydney by taking their first-ever medal at the event. Meesseman’s prodigious leadership and skills ensure that the Cats consistently medal in flagship events. She remains the heart and focus of the team. It’s about topping her list of scorers and rebounders in her country, but also playing her passes smart, playing in defense, keeping everyone together in tough times, and watching Belgium on her back when needed. Having her as one of the best players in the world is priceless. While some individual players have moved on since 2018, especially valuable veterans of his duo Ann Waters and Kim Mestoder, Belgium as a team will gain more collective experience. It is important. I think it means we are ready when we land in Sydney. They have had some success, but some have brought tears to their eyes, including losing a point to Japan in Tokyo and suffering and missing out on last year’s first-ever FIBA Women’s EuroBasket final. You have learned a lot from these defeats.
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The FIBA Women’s World Cup Japan vs Mali match will be held on September 22, 2:00 PM (International Time) and September 22, 9:30 AM (Indian Time). Fans can live stream the match on Courtside 1891 and Indians can log in to Youtube.
Japan: Nako Motohashi, Nanaka Todo, Saki Hayashi, Evelyn Mawuli, Himawari Akaho
Mali: Kankou Coulibaly, Aminata Sangaré, Nassira Traoré, Rokia Doumbia, Assetou Traoré
