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3. Basketball: Sergio El-Darwich, the Masked Warrior Carrying Lebanon on His Shoulders

With a mask over his nose and his heart on his sleeve, injured Sergio El-Darwich has established himself as Lebanon’s fighting soul ahead of a fiery quarterfinal clash against New Zealand on Thursday at 7 PM (Beirut time).

He had every reason to sit this one out. A broken nose in the opening seconds against Australia, throbbing pain, and yet… Sergio El-Darwich did not shy away from battle. “Anything for my team, anything for my national team,” he says in a breath.

On Tuesday night, at the King Abdullah Sports City, the 29-year-old point guard embodied Lebanon’s resurgence. Ten of his twelve points came in the first quarter, including two back-to-back three-pointers to spark a decisive 10-0 run against Japan (97-73). Lebanon had finally rediscovered its basketball.

Arakji’s Substitute, Backcourt Leader

With star guard Wael Arakji injured, Lebanon needed a stand-in. El-Darwich answered the call—mask on, hands everywhere (5 steals, a tournament single-game record), and nerves of steel. Around him, Karim Zeinoun (19 points), Amir Saoud (12 points, 5 assists), and Ali Mansour (15 assists) formed an irresistible backcourt.

“Against Korea, we were too lax on defense. This time, we swore we’d be serious, and it showed,” El-Darwich insists.

New Zealand in Sight

Ironically, the future Sendai 89ers player will meet some of the Japanese players again at club level. But for now, his mind is fully on Thursday. Facing the Tall Blacks—third place finishers in 2022 and undefeated in the group stage (3-0)—will be a huge challenge.

“They’re a great team. But we’re going to play our basketball, bring the intensity we need, and do everything to get this win,” says the University of Maine alumnus.

“When we play our basketball, it’s hard to beat us”

“We knew we had to shut down their shooters and cut off their strengths. Today, we showed who we are: defense first, and when we play our basketball, it’s hard to beat us,” El-Darwich says with a smile.

Masked but Decisive

On Thursday night against New Zealand, El-Darwich will once again wear his mask—and his leadership role. Lebanon will need his shooting touch, grit, and sense of timing to have a chance at toppling the still-undefeated Tall Blacks.