FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship:
Iran crowned champion as youth program continues to pay off
Iran defeated France 3-1 (25-18, 25-15, 22-25, 25-12) in the final on Saturday to lift the trophy at the FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship in Doha.
For all the senior national team’s struggles to match up with the global powerhouses in the game, the triumph was yet another testament to Iran’s successful youth program, as it marked a fifth world title for the country across different age groups since 2017.
The victory rounded out a dominant run for the Iranian boys, who had to deliver a much-improved performance after finishing runners-up at last year’s Asian U16 Championship to win the world title, dropping only two sets in six games on their way to the final.
Pakistan was the only team other than France to win a set against Iran – in a five-set thriller in the quarterfinals – though head coach Arash Sadeqiani’s team still avenged the two setbacks against its Asian foe at the continental event by beating Pakistan twice in Doha, including a straight-set win in the pool phase.
Having missed out on the semifinals at the inaugural edition two years ago, Iran established early momentum in the final, taking the opening set 25-18 before extending its lead with a 25-15 win in the second. Setter Akam Ebrahimnejad distributed the ball across several attacking options, with Sina Hazrati, Arash Ashrafi and Azhvan Namazi giving France different threats to contain as Iran moved two sets ahead.
That variety in attack was reinforced from the service line. Iran finished with a remarkable 10 aces, including three each from Hazrati and Ashrafi and two from Ebrahimnejad, using their serves to put pressure on France and create more opportunities through blocking and defense.
France managed to bounce back in the third set. Antonin Bonnard remained the main attacking option, while Jaden Ebagne Yon and Enzo Savalli helped the French stay in front through the closing stages. Ebagne Yon put away the attack that completed the 25-22 set, cutting Iran’s lead to 2-1.
Iran, however, stayed calm and composed in the fourth set. An 8-4 lead grew to 16-8 as Namazi made his presence felt at the net and Iran continued to turn defensive plays into attacking opportunities. The gap continued to grow through the latter stages, putting Iran in position to close out the championship.
Hazrati led Iran with 19 points from 16 attacks and three aces, while Ashrafi finished with 17 from 14 attacks and three aces. Namazi contributed 16 points, including a match-high four blocks, while Amirreza Faramarzi added nine points and Monib Sheikh seven.
France continued to have a reliable source of points in Bonnard, who led all scorers with 22, all in attack. Ebagne Yon added 12 points and Savalli nine as the silver medalists finished with 43 attack points and seven blocks against an Iranian side that produced 56 points in attack. “We worked very hard for this title, and winning it is the result of everything the team has put into this tournament,” Hazrati, who converted the championship point, said after the match. “We prepared very well for France and knew we had to put pressure on them with our serve, block and defense and create opportunities from our digging.
“I am also very thankful to our fans for the energy they gave us and especially to my family. Without their support, I would not be here, so this championship means a lot to all of us,” added the 16-year-old captain.
There was further glory for the Iranian talisman, who was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament, while he was joined by two teammates in the Dream Team.
Hazrati also received the Best Opposite award, completing a standout campaign in which he was a consistent scoring presence for Iran from the pool stage through the knockout rounds.
“Being named MVP means a lot to me because I worked very hard for it, but volleyball is a team sport and I could not have achieved this alone,” Hazrati said. “Every member of the team gave their best, and my teammates helped me throughout the tournament. Even the consistency I had in scoring came from the work we did together, so I see this award as a result for the whole team, not just for me.”
Ebrahimnejad, meanwhile, was named Best Setter after directing the offense during Iran’s emphatic run, while Sheikh earned one of the two Best Middle Blocker honors.