The national coach of the Belgian Cats admits: “Allemand’s absence will have consequences”

Belgian Cats national team coach Meziane admits: “Julie Allemand’s absence will have consequences”

“Julie Allemand’s injury hit us hard but the team has accepted it and everyone is ready,” Rashid Meziane said on Saturday. Allemand had to withdraw from the Olympics at the last minute.

All signals seemed green on Wednesday. Alleman reported “no feeling” in her ankle, which she had surgery on four months ago. A day later, the Liege playmaker withdrew with a muscle injury sustained in training on Thursday.

“Julie’s absence will of course have consequences,” the national team coach realised. “Firstly because of her role as a playmaker, but also because of the links she has with teammates like Emma (Meesseman, ed.) and Antonia (Delaere, ed.). With her absence we have been able to focus more on the preparations and we have to pay more attention to other players, which is an advantage,” explained the Frenchman.

“With Julie we lose a pioneer and a lot of leadership but we have a lot of other options. Antonia’s size gives us more defensive assets. Elise Lamet has done a great job preparing after the season in Spain where she achieved a lot and then we have Julie Vanloo who played the No. 1 position in Washington and our style of play puts everyone on the line,” Mezian concluded.