Belgium Clinches Quarter-Final Spot with Dominating Win Over Japan

Emma Meesseman led Belgium to a decisive 85-58 victory over Japan in women's basketball at the Paris Olympics, securing a quarter-final berth. The Belgian team celebrated emotionally as Japan, the silver medalists at the Tokyo Games, was eliminated. With two spots left, five other countries have already advanced.

In a stellar performance, Emma Meesseman scored 30 points and secured 11 rebounds to lead Belgium to an 85-58 victory over Japan, earning a quarter-final spot on the final day of group play at the Paris Olympics women’s basketball event.

The Belgian team, nicknamed 'The Cats', celebrated with hugs and danced on the midcourt as the final buzzer sounded, while the Japanese team, eliminated after their impressive silver finish at the Tokyo Games, left the court in tears.

This marks the second consecutive Olympics where the prior silver medalist has failed to secure a medal in the following Games. With five countries—USA, Spain, Serbia, France, and Germany—already clinching berths, the draw for the quarter-finals awaits the outcome of the Australia-France showdown.