The 12 Belgian Lions selected for EuroBasket are now known!
August 25, 2025
Bebasket Editorial Team
Belgium – France: Without their stars, Belgian Lions want to seize their chance: « We need to play a perfect game »
EuroBasket - Missing eight key players including Retin Obasohan, Vrenz Bleijenbergh and Ajay Mitchell, Belgium enters diminished against Team France. However, head coach Dario Gjergja and his leaders, including Ismaël Bako (Paris Basketball) and Jean-Marc Mwema, insist that the Belgian Lions have "nothing to lose" before this first EuroBasket 2025 game.
Photo Credit : FIBA
Belgium faces Team France with a largely renewed roster for EuroBasket 2025. Between injuries, retirements and career choices in NBA or NCAA, eight major players are missing. However, head coach Dario Gjergja – future Limoges CSP coach – and his captain Jean-Marc Mwema display a fighting spirit before facing Les Bleus, group favorites.
« We need to play a perfect game » according to Dario Gjergja
At the press conference in Katowice, head coach Dario Gjergja didn’t hide the scale of the challenge: « France is an excellent team, complete at every position, with NBA players and high-level EuroLeague players. If we want to stay in the game with them, we need to play a perfect game, be mentally and physically strong. »
Despite the absence of key figures like Pierre-Antoine Gillet or Toumani Camara, the coach prefers to highlight the opportunities given to his young players: « We’ve adapted, and now it’s up to them to show they can step up. »
Jean-Marc Mwema and the physical challenge
Belgian Lions captain Jean-Marc Mwema (Alicante player) emphasizes the need to accept physical impact: « We can’t shy away from their intensity. They’re super athletic, but we need to be at least as physical as they are. » For him, team play and offensive discipline will be crucial to avoid turnovers that would allow the French to run.
Vanwijn and Bako in the spotlight
Hans Vanwijn, former player of Dijon, Nanterre and Gravelines-Dunkerque now in Turkey, sees this duel as a good test: « I prefer playing France right away. We have nothing to lose. It’s an opportunity to show we can compete despite the absences. »
For his part, Ismaël Bako, new Paris Basketball center, plans to make the most of the opportunity: « Yes, there are many absences, but it creates opportunities. We must stay confident and smart in our game. Both in offense and defense, we need to find their weaknesses. »
Goal: reach the second round
Despite disrupted preparation, the Belgian Lions maintain a measured but real ambition: secure two victories to reach the round of 16. « We must stay ambitious, » says Hans Vanwijn. « We know many players are missing, but it’s up to us twelve to show we deserve our place. »
In Katowice,
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve est le fondateur et rédacteur en chef de BeBasket, qu’il anime depuis 2010 (sous le nom de Catch & Shoot). Passé par l’Ecole Publique de Journaliste de Tours, puis deux universités en Amérique du Nord, il a pu développer son expertise sur le basket français, de la Ligue Nationale aux divisions amateurs, durant ces 20 dernières années. En parallèle, il est aussi engagé dans le développement de clubs du côté de Montpellier.
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