Portugal’s women’s basketball team made history with their first-ever European Championship appearance, but their debut was a tough one. They faced off against reigning European champions Belgium and came up short, losing 81-52.
The game got off to a rocky start for the Portuguese team, with Belgium jumping out to a 9-0 lead. But they fought back, with Márcia da Costa scoring the first three-pointer in Portuguese history at a European Championship. The team’s coach, Ricardo Vasconcelos, called a timeout and advised his players to focus on three-pointers. The strategy paid off, and Portugal closed the gap to just 15-14 by the end of the first quarter.
A Reality Check
The second quarter was a different story. Belgium ramped up their intensity, making it difficult for Portugal to keep up. The deficit grew to double digits with three minutes left before halftime, and by the break, Belgium was leading 40-25. The Belgian team’s dominance continued in the second half, with Emma Meesseman leading the charge. She finished with a double-double, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, along with six assists. Meesseman was named MVP of the game. The final score was 81-52, reflecting the significant difference in skill between the two teams.
Carolina Rodrigues was Portugal’s top scorer with 13 points. Despite the loss, the Portuguese team showed flashes of brilliance, and their fans were excited to see them in action on the social media.