- 11
- July
- 2025
Tonight (8:45 PM), Riyadi hosts Sagesse at Manara for the fifth act of a final that could seal a golden season. A match with the allure of an ultimatum: Riyadi aims for history, Sagesse plays for hope.
The stage is set, the audience is buzzing, the spotlight is on Manara. This Friday evening, Riyadi will have its first match point. A win against eternal rivals Sagesse would see the yellow club clinch a third consecutive title, the 32nd in their history, crowning a season of near-absolute domination.
Ahmad Farran's men lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. After a scare on Tuesday at home (85-95 defeat), they quickly regained control on Wednesday in Ghazir with an authoritative 83-75 victory, displaying the serenity of a team confident of its strength, and the desire to get it over with as quickly as possible.
“We don't want to go back to Ghazir,” warned Farran, determined to seal the deal at home, in front of his family and friends, in the mythical Saïb Salam hall. It has to be said that Riyadi has won almost everything this season: the regular season, the playoffs, and the FIBA WASL - West Asia, winning resounding victories over the region's top teams in the process. A successful season that only a national title could truly seal.
Wisdom on the Brink
Sagesse, for its part, has its back against the wall. Trailing 3-1, Linos Gavriel's team is condemned to a feat of strength. It must win tonight to stay alive, snatch a sixth game on Sunday in Ghazir, then hope for a seventh on Tuesday. A Herculean mission, but not impossible, especially for a club that lives on passion, pride, and the unfailing support of its fans.
The Greens, who last won the title in 2004, have not beaten Riyadi in a final for two decades. And this series, the eighth between the two historic rivals since 1995, is clearly tilted towards the yellow side: five final victories for Riyadi, two for Sagesse. History argues against them. But a final is still a final.
A High-Voltage Clash
The Manara stadium promises to be packed to the rafters. Riyadi fans are preparing for a night of celebration. Sagesse, on the other hand, has not yet said its last word. In this legendary rivalry, every match is a war, every possession a battle, every look a challenge.
Tonight, Riyadi aims to add another golden line to its record of achievements. Wisdom, on the other hand, clings to what's left: hope. For as long as there is life, there is Wisdom.
Comments