Lebanon's basketball team beaten in Asia Cup final by Australia

Lebanon’s men's basketball team fell agonisingly short in their attempt to win the Fiba Asia Cup after they were beaten 75-73 by Australia in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sunday evening.

The Cedars were behind by 14 points heading into the fourth quarter, but a dramatic late charge saw them close the gap to two by the final whistle.

The team's stunning run to the final, which also saw them defeat Jordan and Asian powerhouse China in the knockout stages, has been a rare bright spot for a country enduring one of the worst economic downturns in modern history.

An economic collapse, that first became apparent in 2019, has plunged much of the population into poverty and led to the local currency losing more than 90 per cent of its value. There are also widespread shortages in water, electricity, medicine and other basic necessities.

The August 2020 explosion at Beirut’s port, which killed more than 200 people and injured at least 7,000, and the Covid-19 pandemic have only exacerbated the situation. The 2020 explosion has been blamed on mismanagement and corruption, and is viewed as a symptom of — but also symbolic of — the country's mounting systemic problems.

“What we've done is already enough for the Lebanese people to have a breath of fresh air again." said Rami Naamani, an ardent basketball fan from Beirut. "Just to see there's a light in this country, somehow, through a sport. Because otherwise, there's no hope I think. Whatever they do today, we have our heads held high."

Wael Arakji, who top-scored with 28 points, was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

The Fiba Asia Cup takes place every four years and comprises teams from Asia and Oceania as of 2017. Its predecessor, the Asia Championship, in which Lebanon