Belgium W vs Italy W

The match swung decisively at halftime. Belgium trailed by 20 at the break after a flat first-half showing, but head coach Mike Thibault's adjustments in defensive intensity and transition offence transformed the Cats in the second half. Italy managed just 20 points after the interval — a stark drop from their 44-point first half — as Belgium's pressure forced quicker possessions and rushed shots. The Cats won the second half 39-20 but could not complete the full recovery.

Maxuella Lisowa-Mbaka (Belgium): A team-high 12 points, providing the primary scoring punch off the bench during the second-half revival. Her energy in transition was central to Belgium's comeback.

Nastja Claessens (Belgium): Chipped in 8 points with active two-way play, part of the supporting cast that stepped up in the absence of several regular starters.

Elise Ramette & Alicea Courthiau (Belgium): Combined for 14 points and steady ball-handling as Belgium cut the deficit from 20 to 1.

Emma Meesseman (Belgium): The veteran forward scored 8 points and was instrumental in crunch time, though the Cats ultimately could not get over the line.

Belgium's 39-20 second-half margin tells the story of a game of two halves. Italy's 44 first-half points reflected near-total control, but their 20-point second half revealed a team that lost rhythm after the break. The Cats' 22-point fourth quarter (to Italy's 9) underscores how completely the momentum shifted — Belgium's pressing defence and fast-break offence overwhelmed their visitors in the final frame, but the 20-point halftime hole was simply too deep. The q-by-q progression (12-22, 12-22, 17-11, 22-9) shows a textbook tale of one team dominating early and the other roaring back late.

This was Belgium's first preparation match ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup in Berlin (4-13 September). The reigning back-to-back European champions were without key personnel: point guard Julie Vanloo (injured), plus Julie Allemand, Antonia Delaere and Kyara Linskens, all still active in the WNBA. Their absence was felt sharply in the first half. Italy — bronze medallists at the last EuroBasket — earned a confidence-boosting win against the tournament favourites.

Belgium and Italy meet again on Sunday 16 August at 18:00 local time, again at Sportcampus Lange Munte in Kortrijk. The Cats then head to Tenerife for a training camp with friendlies against Nigeria (22 August) and Spain (23 August), followed by two matches against Japan in Ostende (28 and 30 August) before departing for Berlin.

Belgium's second-half performance — a 39-20 demolition after a listless opening — is a promising signal for Thibault, even in defeat. The comeback showed the depth and character that have defined the Cats' European reign. But the 20-point halftime hole, against a side missing several WNBA players themselves, is a clear alert item. Italy executed a disciplined game plan for 20 minutes and nearly paid for it, but they held on when it mattered. The rematch on Sunday carries added intrigue.