Iran one step away from the World Championship semifinals
Tehran - ISNA - Iran's national team earned its place among the world’s top eight by defeating Serbia in a tense five-set encounter, building on the momentum of earlier wins, including a thrilling elimination of host nation Philippines. Serbia, which had shocked tournament favorites Brazil in the previous round, proved a formidable opponent. But coach Roberto Piazza’s squad, led by standout performances from Ali Hajipour and captain Morteza Sharifi, found the edge. Both players recorded 23 points, with Sharifi contributing 18 attacks, three blocks, and two service points in a decisive display that sealed Iran’s place in the last eight for the first time since 2014.
Iran remains the only Asian team in the knockout stage of this year’s tournament, carrying the flag for the continent with what is already the best performance by an Asian side in the competition. Their next opponent, the Czech Republic, has reached the quarterfinals for the first time as an independent nation, thanks to impressive outings from Patrik Indra, Jan Galabov, and Lukas Vasina. It is a historic moment for the Czechs, whose last appearance in the top eight came nearly four decades ago in 1986, when the team still competed as Czechoslovakia.
For Iran, this will be only its second time in the quarterfinals of a World Championship, the first being in 2014 under coach Slobodan Kovac when the team finished sixth in Poland. Now, with a place in the semifinals within reach, the players sense an opportunity to write a new chapter in Iranian volleyball history.
The records of the remaining teams underline the scale of the challenge ahead. The United States, Italy, and Poland are all former champions, while Bulgaria and Belgium bring their own pedigree. Turkey, with its best-ever finish in 2022, and the Czech Republic as first-time quarterfinalists, join Iran among the tournament’s emerging powers.
This upcoming clash carries extra intrigue given the head-to-head history: Iran and the Czech Republic have only met once before, during the 2023 Olympic qualifiers, where the Czechs prevailed 3–1. For Piazza’s team, Thursday’s encounter offers not only a chance to avenge that defeat but also to achieve what no Iranian volleyball generation has accomplished — a place in the World Championship semifinals.
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