Belgium are hoping European stars Ann Wauters and Kathy Wambe will inspire a new generation of players this summer.

The veteran duo has returned to the national team to help the Belgians in their qualification battles for the EuroBasket Women 2011 in Poland.

Ann Wauters will try to pass on her great experience to the younger players

"I'm very happy with how Ann and Kathy are working," Belgium coach Arvid Diels said to Basketball World News.

"They are really showing leadership.

"They do everything to help their Belgium teammates and are giving everything to make the European Championship.

"In May we had training camps and during the month of June we had some physical workouts, and during those moments, those players were okay and they showed how professional they are.

"It was a big advantage for the younger players to have an example to work with them every day."

Two of those youngsters are Julie Vanloo and Emma Meesseman, leaders of last year's silver-medal winning team at the U16 European Championship in Naples.

Vanloo, a 1.71m guard, averaged almost 19 points per game for the Belgians and Meesseman, a 1.86m center, averaged a double-double in points and rebounds.

She finished the tournament with averages of 14.6 points, 12.8 rebounds and 3.4 blocks.

Meesseman ranked first overall in rebounds, blocked shots, and field goal percentage (60.2).

"Our main idea was to integrate this year the best Belgium players in the moment in between 16 years old and 30 years old," Diels said.

Emma Meesseman is a tall center with good moves and lots of energy

"That's why we made the group like that."

Both look good bets to make the final squad.

"They will have a chance," Diels said.

"It's also about having the opportunity to play with players like Ann Wauters and Kathy Wambe.

"It will not happen every year that have the chance to prepare and have training camps with them. "

Assessing The Competition

The challenge for the Belgians in qualifying is immense as they will go up against Italy - who finished sixth at last year's EuroBasket Women in Latvia - Lithuania, Croatia and Holland.

"Of course it will be a battle," Diels said.

"Italy in the past years, they have had difficulty qualifying themselves.

"In 2007, they hosted the event but after that they had a new start, went to the European Championship and had some good games.

"And I think they want to continue on the same idea."

Italy finished sixth in Latvia and narrowly missed out on a place at the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women.

"Croatia is a team that has to give a lot of effort to arrive at the European Championship," Diels said.

"And Lithuania is a team that has a very good past of being at European Championships and World Championships.

"It will be a battle.

Arvid Diels has adjusted the stategy of his Belgium tea

"But we want to qualify directly, not through the additional qualifications.

"That is the idea in the training camps.

"We will only be satisfied when we finish first in our group."

Diels says the make-up of his squad should fill the country with optimism.

"We know it's a big challenge," Diels said, "but with Ann Wauters, Kathy Wambe and some good young players, we are looking to have the same mix for example as the French and Spanish teams the past few years , mixing in experienced players with younger players.

"That is our goal."

Diels has a very good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of Belgian women's basketball.

In the past several years, he has either served as the technical director or coached the youth teams.

The 30-year-old is coaching the team in friendly games against Great Britain, Israel, Finland and Germany to get ready for the qualifiers.