Bulgaria – Poland
“First of all, congratulations to the Iran team,” said Germany’s coach Heynen Vital. “In my opinion they performed their best game. As my captain said, we were not in the game. It was as if only Iran’s team was in the playing court. Before the match I had estimated that the match would have 3-0 result, and perhaps we or Iran would get it. Our team is very young. We lost but we should perform a good game.”
Iran outscored Germany 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-20) at Azadi sport hall on Friday night. From first point, the match promoted a wild celebration among local volleyball fans in Iran, thanks to the vigorous presentations of Iran’s team during their inaugural World League season. The win is Iran’s first straight sets win in the World League. Iran are the first debutants in the World League with multiple victories (5) since the Czech Republic in 2003, with 10.
While Iran already does not have a chance at the finals, Germany’s loss brings a fresh breath to the Russians, who secure their second place spot in Pool B. Even with a potential comeback win on Saturday, Germany’s cannot surpass Russia’s points to take them out of their second place position, allowing Russia to move on to the FIVB World League Finals.
Bulgaria, however, is another step closer to the 2013 FIVB World League Finals, after completing a fantastic performance against last year’s World League gold medalists, Poland. The Lions didn’t waste any time defeating Andrea Anastasi‘s team, winning a quick three sets 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-21).
“We made a step forward to the Finals,” said Bulgaria’s coach Camilo Placi. “It was a small step, but the most important is the last step. We played a good match. I am sorry for Poland and Andrea Anastasi. I was here when he won last year in Sofia. It was then when he surprised me with a present and gave me the clipboard he used in the final match. I still keep it and it’s a good memory, but this is life – in sport you either win or lose. I hope we will play swell tomorrow and win and write a new shiny page in Bulgarian volleyball history.”
On Saturday, Bulgaria’s will fight for another win to qualify indisputably for the World League Finals. Poland, on the other hand, is already out of the finals, and will focus their attention on Eurovolley 2013 after their last match.
USA is also fighting for a chance in the finals next week. USA and Brazil face off Saturday and Sunday in Rio de Janeiro. Their first meeting on Saturday will be featured as the FIVB ‘Match of the Week’. Fans will be able to watch one of the biggest rivalries in volleyball, in their first of two Pool A matches on July 13 at 13:00 (GMT).
Brazil is already qualified for the finals, being at top of Pool A, with 19 points. USA has 12 points and will have to fight for the last spot against Bulgaria’s total points this weekend.
To read more news from this competition click on World League 2013 M.
