Lions aim for European Championship ticket, despite major absentees

Like the Cats, to whom we devoted an extensive article HERE, the Lions are currently putting their claws into the qualifying round of the 2025 European Championship, better known as the FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers. And they have an effective chance of success, too, marking a major shift in Belgian basketball culture and a new era for the national team.

After the turn of the century, Belgium finally managed to qualify for EuroBasket again in 2011. Finally, because that had already been 18 years. However, the tournament itself was disappointing: the Lions lost all their five games in the preliminary round and had to go home immediately. Two years later, during EuroBasket 2013, they bit off better. Although their first game resulted in a very narrow loss (57-58 against Ukraine), they quickly recovered and left Germany in the dust after a 73-77 victory in overtime. Unfortunately, they fell victim themselves in the second round and the Lions were eliminated after two defeats in three games.

Another two years later, also at the European Championship, our countrymen played a razor-sharp qualifying series with five wins and barely one loss. The tournament also looked rosy at first, with a win in their second game against Lithuania - thanks to a buzzer-beater that made for a 74-76 final score - but in the Round of 16, things went horribly wrong against Greece (75-54).

On to 2017 then, the year in which the Belgians got off to another very strong start (5-1 in the qualifiers) and there was real momentum, which, however, the Lions were unable to maintain during the European Championship itself. The group stage of that EuroBasket edition ended with barely one successful match out of five games, and they also saw their dreams go up in smoke during the 2019 FIBA World Championship qualifiers (1-5 loss).

A new wind

After a total absence from the Olympics, thankfully there was EuroBasket 2022 to get back in the international spotlight. During the qualifying games of that European Championship, the Lions recorded a convincing 86-65 victory over Lithuania at home, and Belgium even finished top of the group, securing a fifth consecutive participation. Despite convincing wins against Spain (83-73), the eventual champion, the team was again stuck in the Round of 16, where they were defeated by Slovenia 88-72.

European Championship 2025: new challenges

The Lions stepped into the 2025 European Championship qualifying adventure in February of this year. And it was an immediate hit, as both Slovakia and top favorite Spain had to face off, with 60-75 and 58-53 on the scoreboard at the final buzzer, respectively. That promises!

This Friday, Nov. 22, our boys will take on Latvia in Riga in an outward match, and a second time at home in Charleroi on Nov. 25. If they win both matches, their ticket to Eurobasket is assured for the sixth consecutive time. By the way, the final games of the Qualifiers will not go on until Feb. 20 and 23, again against Slovakia and Spain.

A total of 21 Lions descended on Latvia. Those hoping to see Belgian NBA talents Ajay Mitchell and Toumani Camara at work are in for a treat, and they are not the only well-known players missing, due to injuries on the one hand and personal reasons on the other. Thus, Jean-Marc Mwema is not on the attendance list due to a hamstring injury, we have to miss Kevin Tumba due to foot problems, Jonas Delalieux remains at home due to unspecified physical discomforts, and Xander Pintelon and Vrenz Bleijenbergh did not board the plane either. Jonas Delalieux's future matches are currently still unclear. He will not be allowed back on the pitch until next Monday at the earliest, provided he gets the green light from the medical staff.

If Belgium gets through the qualifications for the European Basketball Championship 2025, which only starts on August 27, it will be able to compete for a place on the highest stage. But first the Lions have to be sure of at least a second place in their pool, or be lucky enough to be among the top four. The host countries (Poland, Latvia, Cyprus and Finland) are seeded anyway.