Road To FIBA WASL Final 8 2023 Dubai: Beirut Club

BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Given their pedigree, it should no longer come as a surprise that Beirut Club hold themselves to a high regard.

The organization sets big expectations for itself, including qualifying for the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) Final 8 in June which they did.

Of course, they aren't going to Dubai just to be there. They're there to compete and win the whole thing, which, if they'd be able to accomplish it, would mean another addition to what has been a growing trophy collection for the club.

Can they do it?

HISTORY

Beirut Club were founded in 2013 and it didn't take long for the club to join the Lebanese Basketball League, doing so four years later.

The team has also seen action outside of local soil, having played in various international club competitions before becoming part of the FIBA WASL inaugurals.

PAST SUCCESS

Five years after being promoted to the first division, Beirut Club won their first Lebanese league title by downing Al Riyadi in seven games in the Finals, indeed sweet payback against the same team who beat them in the 2019 title bout. They also won the Lebanese Cup in the same year.

Beirut Club has also experienced success in international competitions, whether it's the Arab club championship or the Dubai International Basketball Tournament.

HOW DID THEY GET HERE?

Beirut Club punched the remaining Final 8 ticket from WASL-West Asia League by knocking out ZobAhan at home, 93-75, in the Third-Place Game.

 

They were actually the first to reach the FIBA WASL - West Asia Semi-Finals by clinching the top spot in Group A but needed to save their season through the Third-Place Game after bowing to eventual champions Al Riyadi in the best-of-3 Semis.

It would've been better for them had they flipped the script on their inter-city rivals, but making it to the Final 8, albeit via a different route, is what matters most.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Veteran national team player Ali Haidar will once again be bannering Beirut Club in the June 9-17 competitions the way he's done this season, especially in the Third-Place Game that saw him pour a season-high 28 points and 6 rebounds.

Haidar had some of the other stars helping the team to an impressive showing in the West Asia League such as Kenny Hayes, WASL-West Asia's second-leading assists man with 6.0 on top of his 15.3 points and 2.8 rebounds.

Then there's also late-season pickup Jordan Jackson, who's now regained his form after suffering a leg injury in their Semis opener against Al Riyadi.

 

Others that Coach Ahmad Yamout could count on in their title bid are Ibrahima Thomas, Chris Crawford, Eli Rustom, and Gerard Hadidian, among others

FIBA