June 25, 2023 is a day that changed the lives of Belgian cats. That Sunday, the Belgian women’s basketball team made history with the European title. Julie Vanloo (30) still has fun, analyzes her contribution and of course also watches the Games.
“It was one of the best years of my life and my career,” says Julie Vanloo of the year she jumped on tram 3, but above all of the year she became European champion with the Belgian Cats.
Jump-in-‘t-veld Vanloo isn’t the type to stay still for long. “I live in a hurry and never have time to think or have fun. I’ve had a taste of it now, but I want more. The focus is already on the next goal.”
This goal will obviously have a French accent in August and will build on that more than successful summer of European Championships.
“We immediately stood out for the enormous differences between our matches, but it was a growing European Championship. We showed from the first match that we were ready to go far.”
I was more stressed about that semi-final than before the final. Against Spain we played our worst game.
Giulia Vanloo
“Personally I thought the quarter-finals against Serbia were the right time. In the past we had failed to defeat them, but now we have learned from our mistakes.”
After Serbia, France was defeated in the semi-finals and in the end Spain was also beaten. “I was more stressed about that semi-final than about the final. Then we would know if we were going to play for the bronze or finally the final.”
“We started badly against Spain too. That was actually our least good match. We had to chase constantly, but Emma Meesseman then made a fantastic speech at half-time.”
“We couldn’t regret our approach, because we weren’t ourselves. It didn’t work, there was no passion and fire. It was now or never.”
“After the break we got back into character. We moved on and never looked back.”
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The wait is over
Julie Vanloo and teammates captured European gold after a 58-64 victory. “We also said in advance that we wanted the title. Emma is more relaxed about it, I dream out loud and say it. We just wanted to do better than in the past and we succeeded.”
Vanloo says he does not experience stress easily, does not appreciate any rituals and seizes the moment. “I do what feels right to me at the time. Routine just gives me more stress. So that final was a match like any other for me.”
But Vanloo left his mark there, just like during the entire European Championship. “I had my chance and I took it,” he shrugs. “Why did it work now? Because I never had the chance before.”
“At the Cats I had different roles: on the bench, as a wildcard, as a reserve. But I was simply ready and I told the coach. I wanted everyone to be afraid of me.”
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for years. Just give me that big role! I wanted it so bad,” she explains with dedication. “My heart is on fire for the Cats. Mentally and physically I was at the top of my game.”
According to insiders, Vanloo would be more mature at 30 years old. “It’s possible,” he hesitates. “But I’m still that easygoing kid who finds the perfect balance between basketball and normal life. At the Cats now I can just be myself. The coach and the team give me the freedom to be who I am.”
The United States in the Sportpaleis
Due to the rush, Julie Vanloo no longer really remembers what happened in the first minutes after the redeeming whistle, but the fact that she got a place in the All Star 5 still gives goosebumps.
“Emma told me before the European Championships that I could finish among the top 5 players. When Emma says something like that, she means it. Afterwards she came to me and said: ‘See, I told you, didn’t I ?””
Hunger characterizes Vanloo and the Olympic qualification tournament awaits in Antwerp in early February. “The moment is very difficult, in the middle of the season. Everyone is on their own and we hope to stay fit.”
“It will be special with the home crowd in Antwerp. You would have told me a few years ago that the Cats would play at the Sportpaleis…”
The United States? I believe it. It would be a statement. I’m a dreamer, huh? Even if sometimes I hit the wall. We can get them, why not?
Giulia Vanloo
The opponents are Nigeria, Senegal – “It will be a chaotic basketball, not to be underestimated.” – and of course the United States. “Why not?” Vanloo chuckles as he talks about Belgium’s chances against the superpower.
“Maybe the Americans think they can handle everything. I believe it. That would be a statement. I’m a dreamer, right? Even if I hit a wall sometimes. We can get them, why not?”
Although Vanloo remains realistic. “What we can do at the Games is a tough question. We want to do better than that painful exit in Tokyo, but we have to get there first. If we qualify, you can ask me that question again in all my ecstasy.”
Olympic qualification tournament in Antwerp
matches Senegal Nigeria 24/08/24 18:15 United States Belgium 24/08/24 20:45 Nigeria United States 24/09/24 18:15 Belgium Senegal 24/09/24 20:45 Belgium Nigeria 11/24/02 16:45 Senegal United States 24/11/24 19:15 ranking VV +/- points 1. BELGIUM 2. Nigeria 3. Senegal 4. United States
In each of the 4 qualifying tournaments, 3 countries qualify for the Olympic Games. As world champions, the United States already has a safe ticket into Belgium’s group. The two best countries in this group, in addition to America, will be able to go to Paris 2024.
2024-01-03 15:13:20
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