BEIRUT: After years of hard work, sleepless nights, thousands of kilometers of air travel and never ending practice sessions, it all comes down to 80 minutes against Italy in Belgrade Saturday for the Lebanese Rugby League Cedars team. Win this game and they book themselves into the Rugby League World Cup in London in 2013.

The squad landed in Belgrade after leaving behind the dreadful conditions in Moscow and now find themselves camped in a 5- star sports complex. The coach staff is rounding off the finishing touches for their do or die match against the Italians. “The boys’ spirits are extremely high and can’t wait to get out on to the field,” team manager Remond Safi said as his players were gathering their luggage at the airport. He later added, “Since we began this campaign, we’ve focused on providing our players with the best experience and opportunities to bring out the best in themselves. We have taken great care to ensure that they will ultimately serve each other and the team to the fullest. I want to thank our families and fans back home for all the well wishes and support that are flooding our way daily. We know this game means a lot to them as it does to each one of us. The Italians will be our toughest match and the winner will truly deserve to qualify for the World Cup.”

Eighty minutes separates one of these teams from reaching the pinnacle of their sporting achievements, a spot on the rugby league world stage.