El Khatib: "Beating Venezuela, Nigeria is our

Lebanon finished dead last of 16 teams at the FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis in 2002. The main players from that squad are still around for this summer's edition in Japan, but a handful of younger players have worked their way into Paul Coughter's team.

One of the Middle East country's biggest stars is forward Fadi El Khatib, who a couple years ago would have been playing for the Los Angeles Clippers had his club allowed him to leave.

El Khatib is Lebanon's brightest hope, having averaging 17.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.6 steals in Indianapolis four years ago. And the 27-year-old, who played this season for Lebanese side Sagesse, knows his countrymen will rely heavily on him at the FIBA World Championship in Japan this year.

Lebanon are in Group A with two-time defending champions Serbia & Montenegro, Olympic gold medalists Argentina and up-and-coming France, the bronze medal winners at last year’s EuroBasket.

Everyone expects those three sides to advance from the group, leaving Lebanon battling Venezuela and Nigeria for the final spot in the Round of 16.

El Khatib told PA Sport’s David Hein on behalf of FIBA his compatriots can knock off both teams and advance.

FIBA: Fadi, Lebanon have been drawn into a tough group with three top nations - Serbia & Montenegro, Argentina and France. And that leaves you competing against Venezuela and Nigeria for the fourth spot in the group and the last berth for the Round of 16. The team opens the competition against Venezuela, how important will that game be?

El Khatib: We have to beat them to qualify. France, Argentina and Serbia & Montenegro are all big teams with NBA players and veteran players with lots of experience. We know we won't be able to compete against them. But beating Venezuela and Nigeria is our goal.

FIBA: What would it mean for Lebanese basketball if the team were to qualify for the Round of 16?

El Khatib: If we beat them, it would be a big, big achievement for our country. We've been struggling inside the country (politics). And it would be great to show the world that we can play basketball and make the people of this nation proud. To be among the top 16 in the world for a nation of four million people would be great.

FIBA: Four years ago in the United States, Lebanon lost to Brazil, Puerto Rico and Turkey in the first round before falling to Canada and Algeria to dead last. How is this year's team compared to four years ago?

El Khatib: We are way better than in 2002. Now we have some young players who will fight and do their best for the team. We had some problems in Indianapolis with the coaches and players. Some of them were old and couldn't fight as well for the team. But the young players will help us stay motivated. And we feel we can run the game. Not just play with the opponents. We can control the game now.

FIBA: Will the team be using the 16th place finish as motivation this time around?

El Khatib: We didn't have good chemistry back then. It will be much better now. And yes, it is a motivation for us. We know we are better than 2002. And we feel we are better than a few other teams at this World Championship.

FIBA: This team is coached by American Paul Coughter, a 58-year-old who would seem to have a lot of knowledge of the world game of basketball. What has he brought to the squad?

El Khatib: Paul could fit into any team. He has a nice system and a great personality. He has helped us build our chemistry. And he gives us a lot of experience. We only had one month to prepare for the qualifications (in Doha, Qatar). But we still qualified. This time we will have two months of preparations. We know each other very well, and it's going to much different this World Championship. We know we'll do some good things with him.

FIBA: So you say the goal is to beat Venezuela and Nigeria. How do you plan on doing that?

El Khatib: We have to stop their key players. We know they play tough. But we like that game. Our league is so aggressive. If we play tough, we'll win those games.

FIBA: A big key the game will be the performance of Lebanon's veteran big men Joe Vogel (33 years old) and Paul Khouri (35).

El Khatib: Yeah, they have to stay out of foul trouble. We have to keep their guards away from them and help them inside. But we're ready to do that.

FIBA: And the team will undoubtedly be relying on your offensive skills as well.

El Khatib: I know I will have to play a great game and help my team. For each of our players it's a great opportunity. I will be ready to help the team. I will not look for my stats. I will be looking for the team to advance.

FIBA: After playing Venezuela, the team then plays games against Argentina, Serbia & Montenegro and France. What do you hope to get from those games?

El Khatib: It's like playing against the USA team. They all have lots of NBA players, and we'll be playing against veterans. But it will be a great

opportunity to play a good game. It's a chance for us to build some more chemistry for the final game against Nigeria. And at the same time let the Lebanese people be proud of us.

FIBA: Speaking of the NBA, you were close to making the Los Angeles Clippers in 2003.

El Khatib: Actually I made the team. But my team in Lebanon (Sagesse Beirut) didn't allow me to go. They didn't release me. I still have thoughts about the NBA. I'm still working on my game. It would be great to go there again. But the most important point is for us to qualify for the second round.

FIBA: And a good performance there could also perhaps get you an NBA deal.

El Khatib: It all depends on the performance of the team. If we don't perform well as a team and I do really well, the NBA people will say Fadi's doing well because the team is struggling. But if we perform well as a team and I do well, then things would be a lot easier. But I'm not thinking a lot about that. We want to play the games. What comes after will take care of itself.

FIBA: Coach Coughter has already called the team to training camp. How are the preparations going?

El Khatib: Right now, we're just getting together and being a team. We started last weekend. We're in Lebanon for now, but we'll be going to Japan, Turkey, Slovenia and the Philippines before going back to Japan for the tournament.

FIBA: How does it feel to be back with the national team?

El Khatib: It feels great. When I finished the season I was waiting for this. We love each other. There's no jealousy on the team. No one says I want to score this many points or anything like that. We share the ball, and we're one team.

courtesy fiba

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