LILLE, FRANCE – JULY 29: Maxuella Lisowa Mbaka #31 of Team Belgium competes during the Women’s Group Phase – Group C match between Team Germany and Team Belgium on day three of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on July 29, 2024 in Lille, France.
When I walked into the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, France to watch the USA vs. Belgium women’s basketball game, the first thing that greeted me was the electric sea of red, yellow, and black. Because Lille, France is much closer to Belgium, the Belgian team enjoyed a home-team advantage of sorts with their fans filling the seats; their cheers and chants reverberated through the stadium, creating an almost tangible wave of energy.
Though the USA secured a win of 87-74, what struck me most was the intense reaction of the Belgian fans.
Even in defeat, the spirit of the Belgian supporters did not wane. As the final buzzer sounded, a synchronized clap and step routine began, orchestrated by the Belgian players themselves. Spreading across the court, they led their fans (which essentially took up the entire stadium) in a rhythmic cheer that was in direct contrast with the outcome of the game. It was a celebration of Team Belguim's effort and spirit rather than just the final score.
Leaving the stadium, the scene was markedly different from what one might expect after a high-stakes game in the USA. There were no downcast faces or silent exits. Instead, the Belgian fans were laughing, conversing, and exuding an infectious joy. Their spirit of camaraderie and celebration made me consider a cultural difference in how sports and competition are perceived and experienced.
The joy from the Belgian fans left a big impression on me. Adorned in vivid red, yellow, and black face paint, hair, and accessories, Belgian fans demonstrated that for them, the true essence of sports might transcend winning or losing, embracing instead the passion, support, and unity it fosters among people.
