BEIRUT (FIBA Asia Cup 2017) - Lebanon have put the reins of their national team into the hands of former Lithuania coach Ramunas Butautas.

The 53-year-old will have the exciting and very challenging task of leading the side at the FIBA Asia Cup 2017, which is being staged in Beirut 8-20 August.

The Lebanese will square off against Kazakhstan, Korea and Asia newcomers New Zealand in Group C.

If they finish in the top three after round robin play, Lebanon could face the likes of Asia's other newcomers, Australia, in the second phase of the competition with the Boomers among the sides in Group D.

Lebanon are trying to make it back to the podium of the Asia Cup for the first time since 2007 in Tokushima, Japan, when they beat Korea in a Semi-Final thriller, 76-74, before falling to Iran, 74-69, in the Final.

Fadi El Khatib, the most famous player in the country's history, led that team in scoring at 27.3 points per game and is still, at the age of 38, a leader in the side.

The great El Khatib is likely to have a prominent role again for Lebanon

The Cedars had earlier come in second at the event in 2001 in China, and in 2005 in Qatar. Two years ago in Changsha, China, Lebanon were fifth under coach Veselin Matic.

Lebanese Patrick Saba coached the national team at the 2016 WABA Championship and at this year's WABA Championship that was staged at the end of January and start of February in Amman, Jordan, Lebanese Joe Moujaes held the reins and led the team to the title.

In handing control to Butautas, Lebanon have hired a coach that has experience coaching one of international basketball's powerhouses.

Butautas led Lithuania at different age groups before taking over the senior side at EuroBasket 2007 and guiding the team to a third-place finish, which clinched a spot in the 2008 Olympics.

The Kaunas native then steered his homeland to within touching distance of a medal in China but the Baltic side lost to Spain, 91-86, in the Semi-Finals and then slumped to an injury-riddled Argentina in a Bronze Medal Game upset, 87-75.

The last tournament for Butautas in charge of Lithuania, EuroBasket 2009, did not go well with his team winning just one of its five games, though the last two defeats were to eventual winners Spain and runners-up Serbia.

FIBA