Iran’s Volleyball Team Commences World Championship Campaign with Hard-Fought Match Against Egypt
In a display of international sportsmanship and athletic prowess, the Iranian National Volleyball Team faced off against Egypt in their opening match of the 2025 Men’s World Championship. The highly anticipated game, held at the Asia Arena in Manila, showcased the skill and determination of both teams on the global stage.
A Match of Momentum Shifts
The encounter began with Egypt, the reigning African champions, seizing the initiative. The Iranian squad, under the guidance of Head Coach Roberto Piazza, faced a challenging first set, ultimately conceding it 25-17. This initial result served as a catalyst for Team Melli, who responded with vigor in the second set. Demonstrating a completely transformed performance and showcasing the true strength of Iranian volleyball, they dominated the court to claim the set 25-16, leveling the match.
The third set proved to be a nail-biting contest of strategic plays. Both teams fought point-for-point in a dramatic back-and-forth struggle. Despite a valiant effort from the Iranian side, which brought them within a single point of their opponents, Egypt managed to clinch the set 25-23. The fourth set saw the Iranian team continue to push for a comeback. While they narrowed the score gap at points, the Egyptian team maintained their composure to win the set 25-20, securing a 3-1 match victory.
A Display of Sportsmanship and Global Cooperation
The match, which lasted 106 minutes, was officiated by an international team of referees, including Çağatay Sarykaya (Turkey) as the first referee and Choi Jae-Hyu (South Korea) as the second referee, highlighting the spirit of global cooperation in sports.
The Iranian team’s starting lineup featured Arshia Benezadeh, Morteza Sharifi, Seyed Isa Nasseri, Ali Hajipour, Pouria Hossein Khanzadeh, Mohammad Valizadeh, and Mohammadreza Hazrat. Key substitutions throughout the match included Bardia Saadat, Ali Gholipour, Ali Ramezani, Ehsan Daneshdoost, and Yousef Kazemi, all deployed strategically by Coach Piazza.
Looking Ahead
This match marks the beginning of Iran’s journey in the prestigious tournament, which features 32 national teams and runs until early October. The Iranian National Volleyball Team is set to continue its campaign in the preliminary round against Tunisia on Tuesday, September 16th. The team’s participation underscores Iran’s active and respected role in international sporting events, fostering friendship and healthy competition between nations.