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The Lebanese Basketball Federation has already drawn up a preparatory program for the three national teams taking part in the U19 Men’s World Cup, the Women’s Asian Cup and the FIBA Men’s World Cup.
This summer will be very hot for Lebanese basketball… No less than three national teams are taking part in three international competitions: the Men’s World Cup which is organized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10; the Men’s U19 World Cup in Hungary from June 24 to July 2; and the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia from June 26 to July 2.
The Lebanese Basketball Federation (FLB) has already drawn up a preparatory program for the three teams, in coordination with the National Teams Committee, in regards to the next three events; bearing in mind that the Lebanese U16 (under-16) team took part in the World Cup held last summer in Spain.
Under-19s
The draw for the U19 World Cup has placed the national team in Group B, a rather tough group, which also includes the USA, Madagascar and Slovenia. On June 24, Lebanon will face Slovenia in the 1st round – group stage (at 01:00 p.m. Beirut time). On June 25, as part of the 1st round, it will play Madagascar (at 08:30 p.m. Beirut time). Finally, on June 26, to close its group phase, Lebanon will take on the United States (at 04:00 p.m. Beirut time).
Preparations for the U19 national team continue on a daily basis under the guidance of coach Charbel el-Bash. The team, whose members will be announced at a later date, will leave for Hungary on Thursday, June 22. It will be led by FLB member Maroun Gebraël, Chairman of the Competitions Committee.
The women’s team
As for the women’s national team, it will be competing in an important continental tournament, the Asian Cup, having regained its natural place in the A level by recently winning the B level title in Jordan. Lebanon has been drawn in Group A with China, South Korea and New Zealand; a very tough pool. The Lebanese women – ranked 8th in Asia and 44th in the world – kick off their Asian campaign on June 26 against China – ranked 1st in Asia and 2nd in the world – at 06:30 a.m. (Beirut time). The following day, on June 27, they take on South Korea – ranked 4th in Asia and 12th in the world – at 04:00 a.m. (Beirut time). Finally, the Lebanese team will conclude its 1st round against New Zealand – ranked 5th in Asia and 29th in the world. South Korea holds the record for most Asian Women’s Cup titles (12), followed by China (11).
The Lebanese women’s team is continuing its intensive preparations under the supervision of national coach Georges Geagea. The team will enter a closed camp next Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at a hotel in Metn-North, and its members will rest on Wednesday. The team will resume its preparations with a light exercise next Thursday, ahead of its departure for Sydney (Australia) on Friday, June 23. It will be led by manager Carla el-Turk, and the names of its members will be announced at a later date.
The men’s first team
As for the men’s first team, it will begin its intensive preparations on July 10 under the guidance of national coach Jad el-Hajj. Players Youssef Khayat and Omari Spellman (a naturalized Lebanese American basketball player) will join the team respectively on July 15 and July 26. Details of the national team’s preparations will be announced at a later date.
The draw has placed the Lebanese men’s team, which will play the 1st round matches of the World Cup in Indonesia, in Group H with Latvia (match on August 25 at 12:15 p.m. Beirut time), Canada (match on August 27 at 12:45 p.m. Beirut time) and France (match on August 29 at 12:45 p.m. Beirut time). Once again, Lebanon has not been spared by the draw, as this group presents a tough challenge.
