WARSAW, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Belgium squeezed past Poland 80-77 in the 2025 FIBA Women's EuroBasket qualifier in Sosnowiec, Poland on Sunday.
Power forward Emma Meesseman led Belgium with 29 points, while center Kyara Linskens added 15. Shooting guard Agnieszka Skobel scored 22 points for Poland.
Having lost 67-62 to Poland in the first round of qualifications, European champion Belgium aimed to take revenge in Sunday's game, which turned out to be very close from the start, as the first quarter ended in a 17-17 draw.
Poland increased the pace in the second quarter to take a 41-32 halftime lead. Belgium couldn't find a way to stop Stephanie Mavunga, but after the break, the team coached by Rachid Meziane responded in the best possible way, reducing the gap from nine points to one after three quarters.
Julie Allemand delivered two points to put the visitors ahead with one minute remaining, and Meesseman made it 78-75 a moment later. Skobel's free throws helped Poland cut the deficit to just one point, but Belgium had the last word as Linskens' effort helped secure the win.
Belgium tops Group C with seven points, level with second-placed Lithuania. Poland sits third with one point less. Azerbaijan is fourth with four points.
In the next round, Lithuania hosts Poland, while Belgium plays against Azerbaijan, with both matches scheduled for February 6, 2025. ■
