FIVB U19 World Championship:
Iran left heartbroken by France in the final
Iran’s brave run at the FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship came to a disappointing finish after a 3-1 defeat against France in the final showdown in San Juan, Argentina.
Mohammad Vakili’s boys recovered from a first-set 25-22 loss to win the second 25-16 before France took the next two sets 25-18 and 25-21 for a maiden world youth crown.
For the two-time champion Iran, meanwhile, it was a third silver medal in the history of the competition and still an improved finish on the previous edition, where the Asian side settled for a third bronze on home soil two years ago.
The runner-up spot also capped a glittering display in the international age-group events for Iran in 2023, following a second world under-21 crown, coupled with the top spot at the inaugural Asian U16 Championship, in July.
Outside-hitter Mathis Henno, who went on to pick up the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award, contributed with a game-high 18 points for France, with his teammates Joris Seddik and Adrien Roure scoring 16 and 15 points respectively.
Mohammadreza Alejalil chipped in 14 points for Iran, while Armin Qelichniazi (13), Mahan Barzkar (11), and Taha Behboudnia (10) also finished in double figures.
The French blockers made the difference throughout the contest as the European team registered 18 kill blocks against eight for Iran.
France also outserved Iran with six aces – all into Henno’s name –against Iran’s five, though Vakili’s side did slightly better in offence with 47 successful spikes against 46, and in precision with 21 unforced errors against 26 for France.
Iranian head coach Vakili, for whom it was a sixth participation in the world youth event, hailed the tournament as a “top-notch competition”, adding: “The final showpiece against France was one of the best games that I’ve ever been a part of. The fans’ presence added to the excitement of the match.”
“We dominated our opponents en route to the final and gave it our best shot today but I have to say France was the superior team,” admitted the Iranian.
“They did much better than us with blocking and that’s what ultimately cost us the title. I’m still glad we have introduced a group of fine players for the future of the Iranian volleyball,” Vakili added.
There was a bit of consolation for the Iranian boys in the awarding ceremony as Qelichniazi was named the joint Best Middle Blocker of the tournament – alongside France’s Seddik – while Morteza Tabatabaei was rewarded with the Best Libero prize.
Henno, who shared the Best Outside-Hitter award with South Korean Lee Woo-jin, and Seddik were joined in the Dream Team by French teammates Thomas Pujol (Best Opposite) and Amir Tizi-Oualou (France).
Earlier on Friday, South Korea defeated USA 3-1 (25-18, 25-19, 21-25, 25-23) in the bronze medal contest, while Bulgaria – runner-up to Poland in 2021 – also came out on top in four sets against Belgium for the fifth place.
Three successive victories over South Korea, Puerto Rico, and Colombia had seen Iran win Pool C without conceding a single set.
The Iranians then had to come from behind twice to beat Serbia in a five-set thriller in the knockout phase, before a straight-set victory over Belgium sent Iran into the last-four game against South Korea, which finished with a 3-1 win for Vakili’s team.