Recent major achievements
FIVB World Ranking 8th (as of 30/05/21)
2019
World Cup 8th place
VNL 5th place
Asian Championship Winner
2018
World Championships: 13th place
VNL 10th place
Registered Members
Outside hitter
#2 Milad Ebadipoor 27/ 196/ 342
#7 Purya Fayaji 28/ 195/ 335
12 Morteza Sharifi 22/ 193/ 340
17 Meisam Sharehi 22/ 198/ 345
22 Amir Hossein Esfandiar 22/ 209/ 330
Middle Blocker
#3 Reza Abedini 30/ 203/ 354
#6 Seyyed Mousavi 33/ 200/ 362
#9 Massoud Golani 30/ 200/ 349
15 Ali Asghar Mojarrad 23/ 205/ 330
16 Ali Shafei 29/ 198/ 348
Opposite
10 Amir Ghafoor 29/ 202/ 354
11 Saber Kazemi 22/ 205/ 340
23 Sadat Bardia 18/ 205/ 355
Setter
#4 Seyed Ma'arouf 35/ 189/ 331
18 Mohammad Vadi 31/ 194/ 331
Libero
#8 Mohammad Reza Hazratpur 22/ 187/ 300
21 Arman Salehi 28/ 180/ 295
Average age: 26.5
Average height (excluding libero): 199.5
Average highest score/343.1
Head Coach: Vladimir Alekno (Russia)
Projected starting lineup
OH2 #2 Ebadi Pool
OH5 22 Esfandiar
MB3 15 Modjarrad
MB6 #6 Musabi
OP 10 Ga'Hoole
S #4 Maloof
L #8 Hazratpur
comment
The outside hitters are Ebadipour and Esfandiar. Ebadipour is now the undisputed outside hitter for the Iranian national team, excelling in both offense and defense. He is a talented player who plays for the powerful Polish club Skra Bełhatov. Esfandiar is a promising young player who contributed to Iran becoming the world champion during his junior years and was named MVP. He was not able to show much of his potential in the World Cup two years ago, but this season he will play for Belgium and show how much he has grown.
The middle players are Shafei and Mousavi. Mojarrad is a young, large middle player from Iran. Mousavi, along with setter Marouf, is one of the veteran players who has supported Iran's evolution since 2010. Although he is a medium-sized middle player, his quick blocks and destructive quicks are still alive and well. Last season, he played for Piacenza in the Italian Serie A and was a starter.
The opposite is Gafur. He is also a familiar player. Although slim, he has sharp spikes and serves. He has also played in Serie A. He is a pleasant player to watch, with a bright smile.
The setter is the heart of the Iranian national team, Marouf. He is already 35 years old, but he is still active. He will continue to play at this rate until the Paris Olympics. He captivates the viewers with his cunning play that matches his long beard. He has experience playing with Ishikawa in Italy.
The libero is the young Hazratpour, who is also a member of the golden generation that won the Junior World Championships.
Also, Iran has appointed Russian coach Vladimir Alekno as their new head coach this year. He is a great coach who has led the powerful Russian national team for many years and won a gold medal at the London Olympics. His appointment is likely in preparation for the team's strengthening leading up to the Paris Olympics, but I'm looking forward to seeing how he will steer the Iranian national team.
Japan has been overwhelmed by Iran since the mid-2010s, but in recent years they have been fighting on equal terms. I'm sure today's match will be an exciting one! I'm looking forward to it!
Volleyball Nations League 2021
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