NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - The line-up for the FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Final Round is now set after the last remaining eight tickets were snapped up last week.

Following on from my previous column about the first eight spots that were confirmed, it was primarily Belgium and Hungary that caught my eye last Wednesday for different reasons.

Starting with Belgium, congratulations to play-caller Philip Mestdagh for putting together the pieces which will see his nation back at the top table again after a painfully long sabbatical of a decade. With so many talented players, that was far too long and I have always been adamant that Belgium most definitely has game - now it can showcase it in the appropriate surroundings.

With one of the top legends in the women's game returning in Ann Wauters, who will presumably use next summer's event in Hradec Kralove and Prague as an appropriate swansong, the Belgians have their anchor on and off the court. In Emma Meesseman they have a special player who is more than capable of becoming a legend in her own right if she continues in the same vein.

What has been important for Belgium [and pointed out by Coach Mestdagh] is that they are not a two-punch side, but have an array of very capable performers. Guard Julie Vanloo has taken things up a gear in her career after playing in Sweden last season and now the Italian League at Ragusa. She was always the standout star alongside Meesseman at youth level and now she is beginning to impose herself more and more. I also like Kim Mestdagh on the wing who has been having a fruitful season with Flammes Carolo Basket in the French League and in EuroCup Women.

I can't wait to see Belgium for the first time with my own eyes at Final Round and they will be dangerous and no pushovers.

The same could be said for Hungary, who I reckon posted on of the most impressive results of the entire campaign with their scorching last day derby success in Piestany. I was very pleased for them because after all the investment in co-hosting EuroBasket Women 2015, it was such a disappointment they tripped over the first hurdle.

I thought it was brave of them to hold their nerve and allow head coach Stefan Svitek to continue in his role and make amends. He justified the decision and make amends for sure.

After all, this was the first time that Hungary have qualified for a tournament through the competitive process on the court since the summer of 2008. Notably they also recovered from a shock loss in Reykjavik against Iceland which could have caused their qualification bid to be derailed.

The Federation also deserve credit for acting when the naturalised Allie Quigley wasn't going to return by getting Courtney Vandersloot on board. Like it or loathe it, having a quality naturalised player is a must in the international game nowadays

Having said that, it's the homegrown Hungarian players who have caught my eye. I have already spoken about skilled baller and 3x3 champion Dora Medgyessy who is having a breakthrough season in the full version of the game at VBW CEKK Cegled, while Debora Dubei is a player I loved watching ever since I first saw her at youth level. If the younger players know their nation can regularly qualify for top tournaments and they can be involved, it will only fuel the passion for women's hoops.

You also can't knock the ongoing input of Zsofia Fegyverneky. I still believe the veteran guard remains one of the most undervalued players in EuroLeague Women and for her country, but those in the Hungarian locker room know her priceless valuation.

I take my hat off to all those countries who went unbeaten and did it in style - the powerhouse nations of France, Spain, Russia and most of all. Ukraine. They take the top step on my podium for the way they completed a flawless campaign and did the double over the reigning champions Serbia. To have already qualified and yet go to Nis and beat the holders again showed a mentality and hunger which was tremendous.

Speaking of Serbia, goodbye to Milica Dabovic. Very much the 'Queen Bee' of a Serbian team who has delivered unprecedented and historical success in recent times, her colourful personality will be missed and so thanks for the memories! Her appeal on social media alone underlines how important she has been in raising the profile of the women's game.

Finally, commiserations to those who didn't make it. Reducing the field by 50% from 24 teams to 16 in Czech Republic meant that some regular Final Round faces have missed out, including the likes of Croatia, Great Britain and Sweden. They must now turn their attention to next November, when the FIBA EuroBasket Women 2019 Qualifiers will get underway.

However, it's now back to the big club competitions for us all. Yes, the women’s basketball wheel never stops turning!

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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