WL2017/ Tehran Witness the First Loss of Iran in Week 2

Tehran, Iran, June 10, 2017 – Serbia smashed the host Iran 3-1 (25-20, 25-23, 16-25, 25-16) in front of 12000 home fans in Tehran on Saturday to continue their 2017 FIVB Volleyball World League on the right foot.

The victory means that Serbia have now broken the series tied at 2-2 out of their last four opening World League fixtures. Last season, these teams met twice in the World League and both secured a home victory. First, Serbia won 3-1 in Novi Sad and the next weekend, Iran won 3-2 in Tehran.

Iran entered the court with heads up from yesterday’s victory against Belgium 3-2 but the resistant Serbia dominated the first set 25-20.

Iran carrying the unstoppable applause of the fans improved in the second set make it tie 18-18 and then lost the control of the match going down 22-20 to finally have Lisinac closing the set 25-23.

The home side opened the third set with dominance and pounced with three consecutive points for a 3-0 lead. However, Serbia quickly equalized the score, But Iran moved in front at 12-6 following a powerful attack of Milad Ebadipour. Grbic called his players out to decrease the gap. Then. mistakes began to creep into the match for both teams. Serbia carried some winning points but Iran took a five-point advantage into the second technical break. The single block of Ebadipour proved the authoritative power of the host finishing the third set 25-16.

Making a come-back to the match, Iranian team played with more confidence but Serbia maintained their composure surged ahead to 8-2. Coach Kolakovic of Iran made some changes in his line-up but it was all in vain as Serbia continued to power ahead 16-8 in the second TTO and bombarded Iran with brilliant attacks taking the set 25-16.