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Lebanon lost heavily to Latvia (70-109) in their opening game of the 2023 World Cup on Friday in Jakarta. It was a bitter defeat for the Asian runners-up, who will probably find it hard to bounce back from this setback in a group where the standard is very high.
Lebanese basketball players, who were the runners-up in the Asian championship last summer in Indonesia, have completely failed to make their debut at the 2023 World Cup. Beaten 70-109 by Latvia in Jakarta on Friday, their backs are already against the wall. Wael Arakji was not his usual radiant self, and Omari Spellman, who was naturalized at a high price, was practically non-existent in the game.
The Lebanese team now needs to win its next match against Canada at the same venue on Sunday to keep its dream alive. The current scenario is catastrophic in terms of score, and national team coach Jad el-Hajj believes his players could have avoided this had they been a bit more realistic.
Group H is a very tough group, with few slip-ups: Canada and France are also in it. The magnitude of the task awaiting Hajj’s proteges is massive. He opted for a classic starting five of Sergio Darwich, Ali Mezher, Wael Arakji, Omari Spellman and Ali Haidar.
Latvian domination
Sergio Darwich got things off to a flying start at 100, scoring two consecutive baskets. After 30 seconds of play, Lebanon was already leading 4-0. An excellent start. But the Latvian players were soon back in control. The Latvians were dominant in all areas of the game and benefited from a high number of turnovers on the Lebanese side. Omari Spellman was more of a burden than an asset for Lebanon. Far from the heralded hero.
Proof of this was Hajj hastily replacing him with Hayk Gyokchyan after just a few minutes. In the meantime, the Latvians were enjoying an insolent success with their three-point shots, easily extending their lead to 10 points (27-17) by the 10th.
The Latvian players squared up all four corners of the court with disconcerting ease, increasing their hold on the match. With no serious opposition from the Lebanese on defense, they developed their “drive and kick” game to cross the halfway line with a 25-point viatical (55-30).
Three-point festival
After the break, the Lebanese began to show signs of an attacking spirit, but nothing could be done in the face of far superior opponents. The long-distance festival was then at its height (18/35 3-pointers), largely fuelled by Seville guard Dairis Bertans (20 points, 6/7 3-pointers in… 15 minutes) or his brother Davis (3/7 from distance), while Zalgiris Kaunas inside Rolands Smits provided a solid alternation (17 points at 8/12, 7 rebounds in 17 minutes). Latvia further extended their lead (82-48) at the end of the third ten minutes.
Transparent defense
In the fourth and final quarter, the Latvians continued to cakewalk to their triumph. Managing their lead with great skill, they completely suffocated their hapless opponents, who were as transparent in defense as they were in attack. A late surge from Arakji and Spellman gave the dozens of Lebanese in the stands a glimmer of hope. But it was already too late: the Lebanese had long since given up and greeted the final whistle, synonymous with liberation, with resignation and a touch of relief.
Only Sergio Darwich came out on top. The Beirut SC guard, who produced a line as pretty as it was desperate (19 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist), tried his best, but his team foundered.
The Lebanese are now condemned to play against Canada and France. It’s far from a foregone conclusion, and Hajj has plenty to worry about, starting with boosting the morale of his troops. There have definitely been clearer horizons in sport.
