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Against all odds, Lebanon did it! The Lebanese team beat Angola in their second Olympic qualifying game in Valencia, Spain. With a score of 74-70, Lebanon secured its place in the semi-finals of the qualifying tournament for the Paris Games, making history in the process. The team’s Olympic dreams are becoming even more vivid.
Starting 5
For his second official match, after a predictable defeat by Spain, ranked second in the world, Lebanon coach Miodrag Perisic opted for a new strategy. He lined up Omari Spellman, Sergio Darwish, Ali Haidar, Youssef Khayat and Ali Mezher in the starting five.
Sergio Darwish opened the scoring with the first points, setting the tone for the rest of the match. This time, the team’s defense was exceptional, in stark contrast to their previous performance against Spain.
The Cedars got off to a flying start, quickly taking an 8-0 lead after just four minutes of play in the first quarter. The Lebanese defense made it difficult for the Angolans, who committed numerous errors. Bruno Fernando, an NBA player with the Atlanta Hawks, received an unsportsmanlike foul. The first quarter ended 19-13 in favor of Cedars.
Omari Spellman, 3-point king
Spellman regained his fitness, unlike at the 2023 World Cup, and evoked memories of his stint with the Golden State Warriors by scoring 7 consecutive points, helping Lebanon extend their lead to 11 points. Spellman was everywhere on the court, both defensively and offensively, with a halftime total of 8 rebounds and 13 points. The score at the break was 24-35 in favor of Lebanon. Spellman was the best player of the game, dominating on both sides of the court. He finished the game with 22 points, 13 rebounds and 3 assists, largely leading Lebanon to victory.
Bruno Fernando makes Lebanon’s task difficult
The Atlanta Hawks (NBA) player and his Angolan teammates made a comeback in the third quarter. They outscored Lebanon for the first time in the game, erasing an 11-point deficit at the start of the quarter. The third quarter ended with a score of 45-44 in favor of Angola, putting Lebanon in a tricky position for the final stretch of the game.
Lebanon’s golden quarter
In an incredibly intense finish, Lebanon found the resources to mount a remarkable comeback in the final quarter against Angola, ranked 34th in the world. The Cedars’ resilience paid off, and it was Karim Zeinoun who clinched victory at the end of the quarter, sealing a 74-70 scoreline.
The Lebanese team now turns its attention to the semi-finals of the Olympic qualifiers on Saturday, July 7, where it will face the Bahamas. The players will be giving their all to get closer to their Olympic dream and proudly represent their country in Paris.
