Kuwait Club and Manama renew rivalry in West Asian Basketball Championship final

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MANAMA, April 22: Kuwait Club will clash with their Bahraini hosts, Manama, at the Khalifa Sports Hall in the opening final round match of the West Asian Basketball Championship for the Gulf region at 8:00 pm.

The final round adopts a “play-off” format comprising three matches, with the championship title decided by winning two games.

Regardless of tonight’s outcome, both teams secure spots in the tournament’s final round, scheduled in a pool system starting next June. They will be joined by the top three teams from the Levant and Iran regions, the champions of India and Kazakhstan, with the pool champion representing the Asian continent in the Club World Cup.

This encounter mirrors last year’s final, where Kuwait Club emerged as Gulf region champions, only for Manama to seek revenge in the continental final and represent Asia in the World Club Championship. Expect an intense match as both teams boast closely matched skill levels. Manama, playing on home turf, aims to leverage home advantage and support from fans.

Kuwait Club, under German coach Peter Schumers, relies on talents like the Hamad brothers, Muhammad Adnan, Turki Hammoud, Omran Johar, Al-Musandar Al-Ghais, Fahd Al-Dhafiri, alongside Americans Tony Carr, Anthony Marcus, and Haitian Cadi Lalanne. Meanwhile, Manama’s Greek coach Linos counts on professionals like Americans Dominic Ebenex and Truvin, complemented by Ahmed Salman and Muhammad Amir.

Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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