Spain falls to Belgium in the Eurobasket final: Belgium two-time champion!

The Spanish women’s basketball team suffered a painful defeat against Belgium in the final of Eurobasket 2025, losing by a score of 65-67. This result meant the re-enactment of the previous final, leaving Spain without the longed-for fifth continental championship. A crucial 14-0 run in the last three minutes sealed the fate of the match, awarding the two-time championship to Belgium. Spain, which saw itself with the victory assured by having a 65-63 lead with less than three minutes to go, saw its dream vanish. With a minimal one-point lead and 17.5 seconds remaining, Spain had the ball and the opportunity to secure the victory. However, an unexpected error led the ball to Antonia Delaere, who scored an unopposed basket. Nerves played against them, resulting in steps by Raquel Carrera and allowing Belgium to seal the triumph from the free-throw line.

Belgium, the “Black Beast”

Belgium, which had already won the championship in 2023, where it also defeated Spain in the final, is consolidated as the “bogey team” of “La Familia”. Spain could not obtain its fifth European title, after those achieved in 1993, 2013, 2017 and 2019, and is left without the rematch, after having been eliminated by Belgium in the quarterfinals of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Coach Miguel Méndez chose to start Raquel Carrera and Awa Fam in the initial lineup, aiming to control the defensive rebound and counter Belgium’s strength in this aspect. In attack, Spain looked for Awa Fam in high post situations, taking advantage of her mobility against Kyara Linskens, the Belgian center. Fam scored seven points in the first minutes, including a three-pointer. With Emma Meesseman well controlled, Belgium focused on outside shooting, highlighting Julie Allemand.

Awa Fam (left) in action against Julie Allemand (right).

First quarter for Spain

Both teams maintained a fast pace of play, with a slight lead for Spain (19-18) at the end of the first quarter. The Spanish bench contributed to the game in the second quarter, with Aina Ayuso and Paula Ginzo leading the attack. The second unit added 14 points, which forced the Belgian coach, Mike Thibault, to call a timeout. Belgium reacted with Allemand’s points, while Spain focused on a closed defense, making easy baskets difficult. Méndez called a timeout and, with Fam and Carrera back on the court, Spain went into halftime with a 37-31 lead, despite Linskens’ basket on the buzzer.

Belgium’s players celebrate their victory in the Women’s EuroBasket final.

Belgium dominates after the break

After the break, Belgium tried to involve Meesseman, who had several good plays that reduced the difference to three points. The Belgians changed their strategy, focusing on the inside game with Linskens and Meesseman, managing to get ahead (43-45). Despite the losses and defensive imbalance, Spain found the answer in Ayuso and Ginzo, maintaining the lead at the end of the third quarter (52-49). A three-pointer by Ayuso and a basket by Helena Pueyo boosted Spain, which came to have an eight-point lead (57-49) with 7:40 remaining. Spain controlled the rebound and defended to avoid easy baskets from Belgium, who began to show frustration. Spain’s lead reached 12 points with three minutes to go.

Nerves and Spanish defeat

In the final moments, Belgium reacted with an 8-0 run. Spain lost control in attack and committed fouls in defense, but still had possession and a 65-64 lead with 17.5 seconds left. An error between Alba Torrens and Mariona Ortiz resulted in a loss of the ball and a basket by Antonia Delaere, which changed the score to 65-66. Julie Vanloo, from the free throw, sealed the fateful 14-0 run, ending Spain’s dream of obtaining their fifth Eurobasket.

Technical Sheet:

Spain (65): Ortiz (3), Torrens (3), Pueyo (11), Carrera (10), Fam (9) -starting five-, Ginzo (11), Araujo (-), Buenavida (4), Etxarri (-), Ayuso (11), Vilaró (3) and Martín (-).Belgium (67): Vanloo (4), Allemand (19), Delaere (9), Meesseman (16), Linskens (17), -starting five-, Ramette (2), Claessens (-), Mununga (-), Massey (-), Vervaet (-), Lisowa Mbaka (-) and Joris (-).Referees: Gatis Salinis (Latvia), Paulina Karolina Gajdosz (Poland) and Peter Praksch (Hungary).Incidents: Match corresponding to the final of the Women’s Eurobasket, played in the Peace and Friendship Stadium of Piraeus (Greece).