Every game will be like a final:
Iran’s Nasri ahead of VNL Week 3
Iran outside hitter Mobin Nasri says the national team will approach every match in the third week of the FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL) as a final, stressing that the upcoming fixtures will be crucial in determining the team's standing in both the world rankings and the tournament table.
Iran will begin its campaign in the Serbian capital with a daunting match against surprise package Ukraine – fifth in the standings with a 5-3 record – on July 15. Head coach Roberto Piazza’s men will then face Germany and Slovenia before wrapping up the preliminary phase against Turkey on July 19.
"We are facing very strong teams in the third week, and every match is like a final for us," Nasri said. "We will do everything we can to win all of our games because we know these matches are extremely important for both our world ranking and our position in the standings."
Iran defeated Cuba 3-1 (25-22, 25-21, 20-25, 30-28) in Orléans, France, last week to end a four-match losing streak in the preliminary round. Only a second victory in eight outings lifted Iran to 14th place in the 18-team standings with nine points.
The 22-year-old added that the squad has benefited from the collective efforts of everyone involved throughout the campaign.
"We have played eight matches so far, and everyone, both within and around the team, has supported us whenever the coaching staff has needed them," he said.
Nasri also reflected on his own recent performances, singling out Iran's 3-2 setback against Japan as one of his best outings of the tournament.
"I think the match against Japan was a very good one for me," he said. "After we had lost the first two sets, I was able to make a positive impact on the court, and we managed to push the match into a fifth set."
The top seven teams in the preliminary standings will be joined by hosts China (17th) in the VNL Finals, which begin with the quarterfinals at Ningbo’s Beilun Gymnasium on July 29.