LIB - Lebanon will miss Joe Vogel in Athens
BEIRUT (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men) Lebanon will have to continue its preparation for the Athens FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament without its star Joseph Vogel.
Vogel was injured in Toronto during the first game of the Jack Donohue tournament against Canada and didn't participate in the remaining games.
That reduced Lebanon's chances to continue the good results on the international scene which started in 2006 by beating Canada in the ALPOS Cup in Slovenia.
In the second game of the Tournament, despite the absence of Vogel, Lebanon dominated New Zealand throughout the first 3 quarters through the great effort of Rony Fhaed, but in the fourth quarter Rony had to be rested due to foul problems.
The team's start Fadi El Khatib who is suffering from an injury in his hand didn't had enough power to secure Lebanon's first win in Canada which gave the New Zealanders their first win of the tournament (84-71).
Lebanon's last game against Canada was the worst game for the injury plagued Asian powerhouse and they suffered a big loss with the fiinal score of 100-68.
Lebanon will head on Monday to Paris to continue its preparations with games against Cameron and Cape Verde before heading to Athens on the 12th for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
The Lebanese National Team will be joined in Paris by Brian Feghali, the team's second scorer and overall player.
In the absence of Joe Vogel for the first time since 2001, Lebanon will try to adapt quickly to the new situation hoping to achieve better results in Paris and Athens.
FIBA.com - Latest basketball news 
8th July 2008
