Iran outplays Italy to win the U21 gold medal

MANAMA, Bahrain, July 27, 2019 – Iran prevailed against Italy to win a five-set battle 3-2 (17-25, 25-17, 25-23, 22-25, 15-12) and the gold medal at the FIVB U21 Men’s Volleyball World Championship.

The Iranians dominated in aces (10-3) and the Italians in blocks (12-9). The winners held the advantage in attacks (60-57) and made 30 errors to 25 by the losers.

Porya Yali and Amirhossein Esfandiar contributed 23 and 22 points, respectively, to the Iranian triumph.

Positions 3-4

Brazil breezed past Russia 3-0 (25-21, 27-25, 25-12) in the match for the bronze medal. The South Americans dominated in blocks 10-4 and made 15 errors to 22 by their opponents. Guilherme Voss Messias Dos Santos had 13 points as the Brazilian top scorer.

Positions 5-6

Argentina beat China 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-19). Luciano Palonsky was the best scorer for the South Americans with 20 points, while Chenhcheng Xiu had 21 for the Asian side. The winners dominated in attacks 56-49.

Positions 7-8

Korea defeated Bahrain 3-1 (25-19, 25-23, 13-25, 25-23). Donghyeok Imm and Sungjin Lim led the winners with 25 and 22 points, respectively. Hasan Mohamed was the best scorer for Baharin with 21 points.

Positions 9-10

The Czech Republic beat Cuba 3-0 (28-26, 26-24, 25-20). Marek Sotola had 17 points as the best scorer for the winners, followed by Jan Svoboba with 15. Julio César Cárdenas had 15 for Cuba. The Czechs dominated in attacks 42-36 and both teams made 23 errors.

Positions 11-12

Poland edged Canada 3-2 (15-25, 25-23, 28-26, 23-25, 15-12) in match where each team committed 35 errors. Filip Grygiel and Bartosz Firzst led Poland with 18 and 15 points, respectively. Xander Ketrzynski was the best for Canada with 20 points.

Positions 13-14

Egypt defeated Tunisia 3-1 (25-19, 20-25, 25-14, 25-22). Ahmed Azab Abdelrahman and Youseff Hamdy Awad registered 16 and 12 points, respectively, for Egypt. Yassine Abdelhedi had a match-high 20 points for Tunisia.

Positions 15-16

Morocco prevailed against Puerto Rico in a five-set duel 3-2 (25-22, 25-22, 32-34, 19-25, 15-12). Oussama Elazhari had 28 points as the best Moroccan and Sebastián Negrón had 22 for Puerto Rico.