FIVB U21 World Championship:
Iran eases past Bahrain, marches into quarterfinals
Amir-Mohammad Golzadeh scored a game-high 16 points – including six aces – to inspire Iran to a straight-set (25-11, 25-19, 25-19) victory over host Bahrain in the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship on Sunday.
Outside hitters Mobin Nasri and Younes Javan contributed 10 points apiece as a third successive victory in Manama saw Gholamreza Momeni-Moqaddam’s side ease to a top-spot finish in Pool A of the competition – also featuring Thailand and Tunisia – and book a place in the last-eight group phase.
Iran opened its campaign with a 3-0 victory over Thailand before coming from two sets down to beat Tunisia in a five-set thriller.
Iran and Thailand are pitted against Bulgaria and Poland in Pool E, with the top two of the group progressing to the semifinals.
Chasing a second world title after lifting the trophy in 2019, Iran will begin the second round today against Poland which finished second to Bulgaria in Pool C.
Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, and Italy will battle it out for the other two last-four places in Pool F, with the final showdown taking place on July 16.