Challenge #2: Different styles of play and officiating
Beyond playing with different teams in the WNBA and in EuroBasket, the styles of play differ in the United States and Europe. Amanda Zahui B. (Sweden/New York) and Fagbenle, both post players, highlighted the greater physicality in the WNBA. “They’re just bigger girls over here in the WNBA,” Fagbenle said. “They’re quicker in Europe … but I think the level of it getting fairly similar as Euro basketball increases.” Zahui B. added that the pace is faster in the WNBA, but her game is “a mix of both . … I try to put it together and things work out.”
Most players were reluctant to comment on the officiating, but there was a general sense that the game is called differently across continents. “It’s a lot different,” Turner said, “… you’re gonna have some good refs, some bad refs everywhere you go.” Meesseman added, “They’re doing their job on every continent. That’s all I can say about that. Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don’t, but I’m sure they’re doing the best they can.” However, Mestdagh was willing to say more on the officiating. In late July, she told High Post Hoops, “I have to say, this European basketball tournament, they really let us play physical, on the borderline of dirty and I haven’t felt this year . It’s for sure physical, but it hasn’t been as dirty as I saw in the European .” Although dissatisfaction with WNBA officiating—specifically, with the lack of fouls called—seems to have peaked in August, it has been a topic of conversation throughout the season, so it’s notable that Mestdagh considered the EuroBasket officials even less likely to blow their whistles.