# Netherlands Women's Basketball Team Defeats Slovakia in EuroBasket Qualifier The Dutch team secured a strong 80-69 victory in Almere to begin their qualifying campaign. - **Source:** [NOS Sport](https://nos.nl/sport) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/14efbb8a-e3bb-42ad-8d49-3fb431c373a5 ## Strong Start in Almere The Dutch women's basketball team opened their second round of EuroBasket qualification with a convincing 80-69 victory against Slovakia. Playing at the Topsportcentrum in Almere, the home side established an early lead and maintained control throughout the match. This win marks a positive start for the team in their challenging qualifying group. ## Integrating 3x3 Talent The squad featured a full-strength roster, including key players who typically compete in 3x3 basketball tournaments. This integration of specialized talent proved effective, as the team displayed high intensity from the opening tip-off. The presence of these versatile athletes provided the necessary depth to handle the physical demands of the international match. ## Dominant Opening Sequence Noor Driessen and Kourtney Treffers were instrumental in the team's early success, helping the Netherlands surge to a commanding 23-4 lead. Driessen showcased her playmaking ability with precise assists and long-range shooting, while Treffers utilized fast breaks to punish the Slovakian defense. This initial burst proved decisive for the final outcome. ## Maintaining Second Half Control Despite a brief resurgence from the Slovakian side, the Netherlands reasserted their dominance early in the second half. Further three-pointers from Driessen and consistent transition scoring pushed the lead to a peak of 62-40. Although Slovakia narrowed the gap late in the game, the Dutch victory remained secure until the final buzzer. ## Injury Concern for Treffers Kourtney Treffers suffered a late-game hip injury after colliding with an opponent, requiring assistance to leave the court. However, she provided a positive update following the match, describing the issue as a minor bruise. She expressed confidence in her availability for the upcoming game against Serbia, minimizing fears of a long-term absence. ## Challenging Qualification Path The Netherlands faces a difficult road to the 2027 European Championship, having not qualified for the traditional 5-on-5 tournament in 37 years. Currently ranked 55th globally, the team must navigate a group that includes Serbia, ranked 15th, and Greece, ranked 28th. Only the top two nations will advance to the final tournament. ## Upcoming Schedule and Broadcast The team continues their campaign with a home match against Serbia this Saturday afternoon in Almere. Following that, they travel for an away game against Greece on Tuesday evening. Fans can follow the action via the NOS livestream, with commentary provided by Ronald van Dam for the crucial upcoming home fixture. ## Tournament Context and Stakes The 2027 European Championship will be co-hosted by Belgium, Finland, Sweden, and Lithuania. With only two spots available from the group, every victory is vital for the Dutch squad. The team's ability to sustain their current momentum against higher-ranked opponents like Serbia will be the primary indicator of their qualification potential. ## Sources covering this story - https://nos.nl/l/2639063 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._