Iran loses 3-0 to France in Olympic volleyball qualifier
Iran's National Volleyball Team tasted its 1st defeat in the Men’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Japan,at the hands of a fierce French side.
Iran made a good start to the game but it was short-lived; without the presence of Amir Ghafour, Shahram Mahmoudi and Milad Ebadipour even Mahmoudi's game-high of 19 points was not enough to prevent the FIVB World League Title Holders, France, from taking control of the game, ending the affair with a straight sets victory at 25-20, 25-18, and 25-22.
Antonin Rouzier's game high of 18 points and crucial spikes managed to break-up the Iranian defense and made sure they did not make any serious comebacks. Both teams now have 2 wins and One loss. Iran will next play Japan on Wednesday, while France take on Australia.
Meanwhile, Poland’s National Volleyball Team continued its winning run at the tournament by easing past hosts Japan in straight sets.
Poland who were coming off wins over Canada and France, took charge of the match and won the opening set 25-22. They faced an easier task in the 2nd set and had no trouble taking-it with a remarkable 9-point advantage at 25-16, before the Japanese stepped up their game and showed promise of a potential come-back, but the Poles held firm to clinch the set 25-23 and wrap-up the straight-sets victory. Poland will next play another Asian side China.
On the other hand, the Chinese made light work of Venezuela in 3 sets: 25-16, 25-18, 25-15. It was China’s 2nd win of the Qualifiers, as they’d earned another straight-sets-victory over Japan in their previous fixture. They are now 3rd in the standings behind Poland, and France with Iran in 4th.
That’s while, Canada bagged their 1st win of the tournament in Tokyo by edging Australia 3-2. Trailing 2-sets-to-1 the Canadians stole the momentum back in the 4th and finished a thrilling contest in the set on top 29-27 to force a decider which they finally took 15-11.
Police scuffle with pro-Palestine protesters at Amsterdam university
Police clash with pro-Palestinian protesters at Amsterdam University
Students set up tent camp at Turin university in support of Palestinians
Russia's Putin to visit China on President Xi's invitation
US assassination of Soleimani should be focus of global attention: Iran rights official
VIDEO | ‘Justice For All’: 5th Global congress of Imam Reza kicks off in Mashhad
VIDEO | Yemen says Mediterranean to be within range of anti-Israel operations
EU broadens sanctions to cover Iran’s missile program
ICJ to hold hearings over Israel’s invasion of Rafah
Turkey says will join ICJ genocide case against Israel
VIDEO | Nakba to Genocide
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
