Eurasia Press & News
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a message to the junior national volleyball team appreciated them for winning the 2007 world championship title. In his message, Ahmadinejad extended his congratulations to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, the Iranian nation and members of the sports community, particularly the country’s junior national volleyball team, on the occasion.
“The glorious victory of the pure, faithful and courageous offspring of our country was a gift to the Iranian nation,” he said.
Iran vaulted into the volleyball history books to become the new 2007 Boy’s Youth World Champion for the first time ever, with a electrifying 3-2 (21-25, 25-22, 26-24, 31-29, 15-7) victory over China in 130 minutes, in an spectacular all Asian final at the Gimnasio de Usos Multiples in the Mexican city of Tijuana on Sunday.
This gold medal goes for Iran in addition of the silver and bronze obtained in Cairo 2001 and Thailand 2003, respectively. The final was a nail-biting five set thriller where Ghiasi Motjaba was the finest and best scorer player on the court during the final with 30 points. For the Chinese side, Chen Ping scored 21 points.
Iran’s junior national volleyball team won the tickets to the finals of the Men’s World Youth Championship on Saturday, defeating the European champion France in the semifinals.
Iran shocked the European champions 25-22, 25-19, 25-23 to face the winners of the other semifinal match between Argentina and China in Tijuana, Mexico Sunday morning.
Iran team had already downed Brazil 3-1 to keep their hopes alive in the matches. They will play against the winners of China-Argentina match Monday.
The Iranian team went down to Mexico 3-2 in the quarterfinals but still qualified for the semifinals as the second team from Group A, thanks to better average points.
Earlier, Iran’s Mojtaba Ghiasi was named the best volleyball player among 140 players.
Ali Reza Shaban with 48 points ranked eighth while Ali Reza Jadidi with 39 stood 17th.
Meanwhile, Ali Reza Jadidi was selected as the world’s top defender over the net.
