Volleyball nations League starts friday!

[Ab-Gosht]

iran wins set 2 vs brazil. the level of that set was an olympic final level. brazil is playing insane ball 100% perfect

[_Navid_]

I wouldn't call Italy and USA's teams in this competition powerhouse. Pretty much their B team.

[Mr.Click]

Iran's results are out of whack and don't make sense at all.. I can only guess they're partying too much.. go down in straight sets to Japan, but beat powerhouses USA and Italy handily, then lose to two of the weakest teams Germany and Australia ...just doesn't add up..!!

[dcfcfan1]

Gutted. Ends our hopes of qualifying Cant see us beating the top teams when marouf retires

[_Navid_]

Really poor performance considering our potential. I don't know if we have mentally collapsed or we got arrogant after 5 straight wins.

BTW that referee decision in the 5th set was disgusting.

[Ab-Gosht]

once again its bardia the 19 year old, youngest player of the team that comes in as a sub and changes the entire game around. what a talent

[Abtin]

how many teams will go to the next round?

from what I see on the table, it's 4.

[Pedram88]

how many teams will go to the next round?

[Ab-Gosht]

iran having another bad day today, serious drop in quality suddenly

[diz]

The Marouf Factor
Saeid’s winning touch



Saied Marouf’s importance to his team was obvious in his first game at the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Nations League, which followed two Week 1 match losses for Iran without their captain and main playmaker.

When he slipped into his jersey for their third match, and made a brief entry as a substitute in their May 30 encounter with the Netherlands, they claimed their first victory in the competition.

And when Marouf played as a starter against Canada at the beginning of Week 2, Iran claimed a second win.

“It’s a long and tough tournament, but now we are happy that we beat Canada because we are in the same pool as them at the Olympic Games, so this was an important match for us," said Marouf.

Marouf's name is synonymous with the success of the Iranian men’s team over the last decade. His ability to elevate his teammates’ level sets him apart and his outstanding statistical contributions as the primary setter help the 35-year-old transmit inspiration and passion to his teammates.

“There are players in the team whom I have been playing with for 15 years, and there are new and young players who are good and talented,” said Marouf.

“I am trying to create a group that can play together in the same atmosphere and understand each other on the court. I let the players feel free as to how they want to play. If we continue doing this then the young players will be able to contribute their maximum and play without any pressure. We have to support them more and continue to show them the way Iran should play.”

Marouf is thrilled to be back after a two-year break for the national team, and he is looking forward to playing at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and to working with Russian coach Vladimir Alekno.

“After two years without volleyball, this is our first tournament with the national team. We are looking forward to the matches here in preparation for Tokyo, which is very important to us because it will be our second Olympics in a row.

“We have a new coach who has been working with us for almost two months, so we are getting to know each other better. We want to get to know our strengths and weaknesses here, and then we have three weeks to work on them before the Olympics.

“Alekno gives us confidence and we are so happy that he is with us. His viewpoint on volleyball is to let the players play freely, and I think that with his confidence in us we will have a good future for the next generation of players.”

Iran completed Week 2 with victories against hosts Italy and Bulgaria. They defeated USA at the beginning of Week 3 before losing to Serbia and Germany.

https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/vnl-2021/news/the-marouf-factor

[diz]

[diz]

[Nokhodi]

Ooooof.
Well better here than the Olympics.
These things happen once in a while. Good wake up call.

[_Navid_]

Really poor performance, especially Ebadipour.
Did they all suddenly forget how to serve?? We must have had like 80% error.

[peiman92]

Ebadipour lost us the 5th set. 15-13 Germany