Meesseman sparks Belgium's triumph over Australia at the FIBA Women’s World Cup

When the Belgian women’s team walked onto the court in Berlin, the buzz was unmistakable. Fans knew they were in for a showdown, but few could have guessed just how spectacular the night would become. Julie Meesseman, the seasoned guard who’s been a fixture of Belgium’s national squad for years, turned the game into a personal showcase.

She finished with a staggering 30 points, a tidy 9‑board haul and a few timely assists that kept the momentum rolling. Her three‑point shooting was on fire – she drained five from beyond the arc – and every time Australia tried to rally, Meesseman answered with a decisive drive or a pull‑up jumper. The final score, 80‑68, reflected not just a win but a statement: Belgium can compete with the best.

Behind Meesseman's scoring spree, the rest of the roster chipped in quietly but effectively. Julie Allemand, who earlier in the tournament set a new assist record, dished out 7 assists of her own, while the front‑court duo of Emma Rita Dawson and Astrid Van Camp added muscle in the paint with 12 points and 10 rebounds combined. Coach Kristof Magnus highlighted the team’s cohesion, noting that “every player trusted each other’s decisions, and that’s what made the difference.”

The win lifts Belgium into the knockout phase as the second‑seeded team from Group C, setting up a quarter‑final clash with the tournament’s eventual favorite, the United States. With Meesseman’s confidence soaring and the squad buzzing with belief, the Belgians now have a genuine shot at a historic run that could see them reach the medal rounds for the first time in decades.