- 26
- Mar
- 2024
Basketball-Wasl: Lebanese Derby in the Semi-Finals
modified on 11 Apr. 2024 à 15:56 Read : 2 minute(s) A A A
To write one of the finest pages in its history, La Sagesse will face its biggest enemy al-Riyadi on Wednesday in the semi-finals of the Wasl League. A dream match-up to perpetuate a rivalry that goes back decades.
Wednesday's reunion between al-Riyadi and La Sagesse will be the highlight of the West Asia Super League (Wasl) semi-finals.
History
The FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) is an international basketball league organized by FIBA Asia, comprising clubs from West Asia and the Gulf regions, as well as representatives from South Asia and Kazakhstan. Launched in 2022, this league comprises 18 teams, divided into two sub-zones. Kuwait SC were the inaugural Gulf League champions, while al-Riyadi Beirut won the inaugural West Asia League title. The Final Eight brings together the top 3 teams from the West Asian WASL and the top 3 from the Gulf WASL, plus the top 2 teams from South Asia and Central Asia. Eight teams in all. The first Final Eight was held in Dubai in June 2023 and Bahrain's Manama won the inaugural championship.
Continental Glory
La Sagesse and al-Riyadi now find themselves in the last four after overcoming (respectively) al-Wehda (Syria) and al-Shorta (Iraq).
These two giants of the local basketball scene are gearing up for yet another explosive clash, with their sights set on continental glory. Al-Riyadi will start with a slight advantage, given their current form and recent results. The individual talents of the Riyadi players, their team spirit and their dominant presence on the pitch make them formidable opponents.
However, La Sagesse, who went through a rough patch in January, seem to be back on the winning track. The Greens aspire to add another glorious chapter to their already trophy-rich history.
An epic semi-final, a match at the summit, a true final before its time – there's no shortage of superlatives to describe this sporting encounter that all local basketball fans are eagerly awaiting. However, we dare to hope that, for once, this match will be played in a sporting spirit, far from the usual (and stupid) excesses typical of this derby.
The match will take place on Wednesday at 10 PM at Zouk Mikael's stade Nouhad Naoufal.
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