FIVB U19 World Championship:
Iranian boys eyeing glory on return to Tashkent
Iran will be looking to improve on a runner-up finish in 2023 when the new edition of the FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship gets underway in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on July 21.
Iran will begin its bid for a third world under-19 title against Spain in Pool C of the 24-team tournament on July 24, before taking on Poland – champion in 2021 – the following day.
Adel Gholami’s boys will then face double African tests in Tunisia and Egypt, followed by an encounter against Italy – also a two-time champion – on the final of the pool phase on July 29.
The top four of each of the four groups will progress to the round of 16.
Despite a disrupted preparation process in recent weeks, Gholami will still hope to see his talented squad deliver when they chase glory on return to the Uzbek capital.
The Iranian boys had been stranded in Tashkent for over two weeks following a CAVA U19 title-winning campaign – due to the closure of Iranian airspace during the 12-day war with Israel – before finally returning home late on Tuesday.
Outside-hitter Mohammad-Amin Rahimi, middle-blocker Mohammadnima Bateni, and libero Mohammad-Amin Arabyarmohammadi will be the players to watch in the Iranian team after being named in the dream team of the Asian U18 Championship last year, while Mahdi Sakhavi, Arshia Sa’adat, Parsa Galehdar, and Amirmohammad Rafieirad among the best in the CAVA under-19 event, with the latter claiming the MVP award of the tournament.
Elsewhere in Tashkent, the host country is joined by Belgium, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Pakistan, and Turkey in Pool A.
Defending champion France headlines Pool B – also featuring Bulgaria, Japan, China, Algeria, and Canada – with six-time champion Brazil, the United States, South Korea, Colombia, Finland, and Cuba completing the lineup in Pool D.