Champion of Eastern Asia, the Basket-Ball Lebanese League lost (89-67), against Canada in the Opening of the Basket-Ball Competition “Jack Donohue International Classic”. This championship will be held from June 30 to July 5 in Toronto and in Hamilton. Three countries will be competing: the host country, New Zealand, and Lebanon.

Even though they were tired after a trip that lasted more than 24 hours, the men of Fouad Abou Chacra, were weakened by the absence of the two injured players Hussein Tawbeh and Brian Bechara. But they resisted in a way or another against the Canadians, showing a slim delay (18-14) at the end of the first quarter.

An Overtaken Lebanon

Encouraged by 700 Lebanese supporters, visitors did not start to realize their loss until the sixth minute of the second quarter, being just preempted by three points (32-29). Since then, the teammates of Fadi El-Khatib started to dramatically loose, and errors turned into mistakes. The Canadian League, taking advantage of the situation, increased its score at the end of the first half-time (12-0), guaranteeing their march to victory (44-29).

The Lebanese players were scared of the Canadian ease and successful distant shots, which increased their score difference to 18 points at the end of the third quarter and strengthened their victory in the fourth quarter.

In the night of the 2nd to the 3rd, Lebanon will play against the “All Blacks”, which will face Canada meanwhile.