On Wednesday night around 9 PM, Julie Allemand’s Instagram story hinted at troubling news. A black background with the words, “I swear one day I’ll be happy”, already suggested a difficult moment ahead. The confirmation came on Thursday.
Victim of a muscle injury during training, Julie Allemand (1.73 m, 28 years old) has been forced to withdraw from the Olympic Games—a devastating blow for the Belgian Cats, who lose their starting point guard. Allemand had been crucial in Belgium’s quest for their first continental crown last year, averaging 10.2 points at 49%, 3.4 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game.
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— Julie Allemand (@JulieAllemand) July 25, 2024
Having suffered a serious ankle injury in March while playing for ASVEL, the former Lattes-Montpellier player had successfully recovered in time. However, with Belgium placed in a highly competitive Group C alongside the United States, Japan, and Germany, Allemand’s absence is deeply felt. She has been replaced by 19-year-old rising star Nastja Claessens in coach Rachid Meziane’s roster, a move that brings both uncertainty and opportunity for the young guard to step into the spotlight.
As the Belgian Cats prepare to face some of the world’s toughest teams, the pressure is now on Claessens to rise to the occasion and for the team to adjust quickly, proving their resilience in the absence of a leader who had been the heartbeat of their squad.
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