Elie Stephan eager to satisfy hungry Lebanese fans

BEIRUT (FIBA Asia Cup 2017) - Lebanon have done well early this year in preparation for the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 that will be held in August at home. The Cedars ruled the WABA Championship 2017 last month, and a number of the national team's main guys played key roles when Al Riyadi won the WABA Champions Cup 2017 as well.

These triumphs have satiated the hunger of rabid Lebanese fans somewhat, but there is no denying that what they really want is for their team to ascend to the summit of the continent's biggest basketball tournament. This is not lost on Lebanon's main players, including elite shooting guard Elie Stephan, although he appreciates the reality that this will not be easy.

"Our fans are very hungry and eager to see Lebanon back to the podium in Asian championships," he said. "Taking into consideration the addition of two very good teams (Australia and New Zealand), I believe it would very satisfying if we can grab a top 3 spot."

The 1.90m three-pointer who plies his trade for Louaize Zouk in the LBL believes that for the Cedars to return to prominence and eventually finish on the podium of the FIBA Asia Cup, they must be keenly zeroed in on their main objective.

"I think we have to stay focused, united, prepare well and value the importance of the upcoming opportunity," he added. "Having one collective goal in mind, which is putting Lebanon back where it belongs."

We always play with pride and passion especially this year, home, in front of very passionate fans." - Stephan

To do this, Stephan and his cohorts have used their time in the LBL to further sharpen their individual skills even as their national federation is drawing up more concrete plans for training camps and tune-up games.

"Every player is currently engaged with his own team in the league, where the competition is on a very high level, and I believe this would prepare individuals pretty well," he explained. "As for the preparations as a team, I believe and know for a fact that the new federation will do everything in their power to have the national team extremely ready for this summer."

Speaking of power, much of Lebanon's success in the past decade and a half has to do with being able to choose naturalized players who have perfectly complemented their pool of talent. Joseph Vogel is maybe the most prime example, serving as the team's main anchor in their most successful years. This is one important aspect of the team's composition and preparation this year.

"It is very crucial to have the right naturalized player" said Stephan. "I am sure the coaching staff and the technical committee - with right empowerment and funding from the federation - will be able to chose the right player for the job."

This choice of their naturalized player will be even more critical with the Boomers and Tall Blacks entering the fray. The right kind of naturalized player can round out a squad that already boasts of top tier talents like Fadi El Khatib, Wael Arakji and Ali Haidar among others. Stephan sees how challenging it will be to face the former FIBA Oceania powerhouses, but he also believes anything can happen.

"It will not be easy to compete with two top teams like Australia and New Zealand because, on paper, they have for sure more talent," he said. "We are a small country, yes, and out-talented in some cases, but we love to fight, we breath basketball and anything is possible."

In any case, Stephan knows that he and the rest of the Cedars are on the cusp of history. They can reclaim their place among Asia's elite, perhaps win the entire thing and do it all in front of their home crowd to boot.

FIBA