Tribune News Network
Doha
Al Gharafa trounced twice champions Al Shamal 89-71 in a thrilling final of the Qatar Basketball Federation’s Men’s League 2020-21 at the Al Gharafa Sports Club on Sunday evening to re-emerge as national champions after a gap of seven years.
Such was the Gharafa charge in the final that they won the first three of the total four periods 22-17, 23-10, 25-17, 19-27. While Al Shamal tried hard in the final quarter of the match, Gharafa were too far in control of the match and marched towards a
deserving title.
Franklin Session Jr. was the chief contributor for the winners scoring 24 points and 6 assists while captain Abdulrahman Saad scored 22 and aided 4 assists. Medim Muslic too was in the thick of action with 19 points.
Wael Arakji led the attack for Al Shamal scoring 21 points and was backed by Faris Avdic (14) and Emir Mujkic (13) but these efforts weren’t enough for the defending champions to stop the Gharafa juggernaut.
Interestingly, Al Gharafa had last claimed the top honours in 2014 when their current captain Saad was still a teenager.
Credit goes to Al Gharafa long time coach Kosai Hatem, who readied his side for the challenging final. "We have played the season very well. I have full confidence in my team, if we play to our potential, we have a very good chance to win the title,” Hatem had said on the eve of the final.
His team did him proud by delivering when it mattered the most.
Al Gharafa has earlier won the prestigious Amir Cup and Qatar Cup in 2017.
Earlier in the match for the third place, Al Arabi beat Al Sadd 82-70.
Doha
Al Gharafa trounced twice champions Al Shamal 89-71 in a thrilling final of the Qatar Basketball Federation’s Men’s League 2020-21 at the Al Gharafa Sports Club on Sunday evening to re-emerge as national champions after a gap of seven years.
Such was the Gharafa charge in the final that they won the first three of the total four periods 22-17, 23-10, 25-17, 19-27. While Al Shamal tried hard in the final quarter of the match, Gharafa were too far in control of the match and marched towards a
deserving title.
Franklin Session Jr. was the chief contributor for the winners scoring 24 points and 6 assists while captain Abdulrahman Saad scored 22 and aided 4 assists. Medim Muslic too was in the thick of action with 19 points.
Wael Arakji led the attack for Al Shamal scoring 21 points and was backed by Faris Avdic (14) and Emir Mujkic (13) but these efforts weren’t enough for the defending champions to stop the Gharafa juggernaut.
Interestingly, Al Gharafa had last claimed the top honours in 2014 when their current captain Saad was still a teenager.
Credit goes to Al Gharafa long time coach Kosai Hatem, who readied his side for the challenging final. "We have played the season very well. I have full confidence in my team, if we play to our potential, we have a very good chance to win the title,” Hatem had said on the eve of the final.
His team did him proud by delivering when it mattered the most.
Al Gharafa has earlier won the prestigious Amir Cup and Qatar Cup in 2017.
Earlier in the match for the third place, Al Arabi beat Al Sadd 82-70.