Heartbreak for Iran: National Volleyball Team Falls to Czech Republic, Misses Historic World Semifinal
Tehran - BORNA - In the quarterfinal clash of the 2025 FIVB World Championship, Iran opened brightly, taking the first set 25–22. Roberto Piazza’s side looked composed early on, with key contributions from captain Morteza Sharifi, Mohammad Valizadeh, Arshia Behnejad, Ali Hajipour, Yousef Kazemi, Pouria Hossein Khanzadeh, and libero Mohammadreza Hazratpour.
The Iranians surged to an 8–4 lead in the opening set, forcing Czech coach Jiří Novák to call a timeout. Sharifi and Hossein Khanzadeh delivered crucial serves, and with powerful attacks from Behnejad and Valizadeh, Iran closed the set 25–22, raising hopes for a historic breakthrough.
But the Czech Republic, led by stars Jan Galabov, Antonín Klemš, Patrik Indra, Lukáš Vašina, Adam Zajicek, and Milan Moník, rallied back. Despite Iran holding set point at 24–23 in the second set, errors at the net and in attack proved costly, allowing the Czechs to snatch it 27–25.
The momentum shifted decisively. In the third set, Iran matched their opponents point for point until midway through, but a string of missed serves and failed receptions tilted the balance. The Czech side capitalized, taking the set 25–20.
By the fourth set, Novák’s men had seized full control. Strong serving and tight defense exposed Iran’s weaknesses in reception, and despite Piazza’s repeated timeouts urging his team to fight until the end, the Czechs closed out the match 25–21 to advance to the semifinals.
For Iran, the 3–1 defeat meant another missed chance to reach the final four of the World Championship — something no Iranian team has yet achieved. This was only the second time in history that Iran reached the quarterfinals, the first coming in 2014 under coach Slobodan Kovač, when they finished sixth.
The semifinals will now see Italy and Poland square off in what many call an “early final,” while the Czech Republic awaits the winner of the United States–Bulgaria matchup.
Iran’s players, despite the disappointment, exit the tournament having matched the best result in their history, proving again that they are among the sport’s emerging powers.
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