- 12:00
A breathless season, a series of surprises, and a merciless battle for first place: Lebanese volleyball has its soap opera of the year.
This season’s championship is more fiercely contested than ever. Tensions are high among several teams, each determined to stay in the title race.
Batroun, last year’s unfortunate finalist, has once again asserted its dominance. With a commanding win over Anwar, the team reaffirmed its status as a favorite. Thanks to a powerful offense, disciplined defense, and composure in key moments, Batroun has emerged as the most consistent team of the season. Its only loss — a 1–3 setback against Terrain in the opening round — did little to slow its momentum.
In the Byblos caza, Blat has come alive. After early defeats to Hboub (1–3) and Qnat (2–3), the team responded with a much-needed victory over Baouchrieh. The turnaround signals a clear improvement in team cohesion, though inconsistency remains a concern. If Blat is to remain in serious contention, greater stability will be essential.
Anwar, meanwhile, is navigating a turbulent phase. After an impressive derby win over Baouchrieh (3–1), the team suffered back-to-back defeats to Speedball and Batroun (both 0–3). Despite this decline, Anwar still holds third place. The squad has no shortage of talent, but it must recover quickly to remain in the fight for the top.
Speedball, the reigning champion, has been the season’s biggest disappointment. With five losses already, the team is struggling with poor reception, a lack of cohesion, and visible mental lapses. It’s a surprising downfall for a club that entered the season as a title favorite.
Currently fifth in the standings, Qnat has impressed with its resilience. After two strong victories, the challenge now is to sustain this level of performance — especially with a tough schedule ahead.
Hboub, for its part, has delivered a series of standout performances. A 3–1 win over Speedball capped off a streak of four consecutive victories, including key wins over Blat and Baouchrieh. This run has propelled Hboub into the top tier of the standings.
Qalamoun, after a promising start with three straight wins, has suffered a steep decline. Eight losses — including four consecutively — have dropped the team to seventh place. Still, the gap with Speedball, which currently holds the last Final Four spot, remains within reach.
Finally, Baouchrieh — one of Lebanese volleyball’s historic clubs — has endured a season well below expectations. Three successive defeats highlight deep-rooted cohesion issues and collective struggles. A turnaround is essential if the club hopes to salvage its reputation.
One thing is clear: the 2025 championship is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory. As summer nears, the heat is rising — both on the court and in the stands. Batroun may hold the advantage for now, but Blat, Anwar, and Qnat have yet to play their final cards. The title race is wide open.
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