Graphic: Mārtiņš Zaļūksnis
Royal Liège Basket is the first club from Belgium which will play in the European North Basketball league.
Belgium is well known for its football team, the Red Devils.
Basketball is gaining ground, too, especially thanks to the recent successes by the women`s national team.
The Belgian Cats won the first European title on June 25, at the Stožice arena in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Emma Meesseman was named the Most Valuable Player, while Julie Allemand and Julie Vanloo joined her in the all tournament team.
Head coach Rachid Meziane did amazing job – just like his predecessor Philip Mestdagh.
Mestdagh guided the Cats to the first European bronze in 2017, followed by another Top 3 finish in 2021.
Belgium women received heroes welcome at the Grand Place/Grote Markt in Brussels in June 27.
Men have had some successes on the club stage.
Standard Liège reached the semifinals of the FIBA European Champions Cup in 1969.
The club, founded in 1959 and dissolved in 1985, won three Belgium championships in 1968, 1970 and 1977.
Charleroi has hosted the EuroCup final and the EuroCup Women final.
Telenet Antwerp Giants earned the bronze medal at the 2019 Basketball Champions league, while playing on the home floor.
The Giants entered the competition from the first qualifying round.
Telenet Oostende reached the semifinals of the 2017 FIBA Europe Cup.
Dexia Mons-Hainaut played at the EuroChallenge final in 2008, while Telenet Oostende took home the bronze medal in 2011.
The current Liège club was founded in Fléron as the Fléron Basket Club in 1967.
In 2000, the club decided to merge with BC Hannut and Essor Hannut, relocating to the city of Liège.
The Black, White and Reds play in the first division since 2001.
Liège Basket won the Belgium Cup in 2004.
Its trophy case includes two Belgium Supercups in 2004 and 2009.
The club plays at the Country Hall Liège with 5600 capacity.
Arena hosted the 1973 European Champions Cup final between Ignis Varese and CSKA Moscow.
Alex Zampier is the new head coach of Liège Basket.
A former Yale University guard served as the Bulldogs captain in 2009-2010.
Zampier finished third in the Ivy League in scoring and received the Dutch Arnold award as the team`s most valuable player.
Young coach has worked for the Utah Jazz, the Phoenix Suns and the Detroit Pistons.
His predecessor Brad Greenberg won the 2021 FIBA Europe Cup with Ironi Ness Ziona.