2015 FIVB Volleyball World League

[04041374]

Could someone answer the grouping question? Why are all the best teams grouped together?

They will have a better positioning as the pools are seperated and seeded based on the quality. Worst case is Iran becoming 8th i think

[CHaMiLLionaire]

We came back from 17-10 and now its tied 22-22

[Bessos]

Could someone answer the grouping question? Why are all the best teams grouped together?

Group A and B contain the top teams. Those who advance from this group go straight into the final rounds.
Iran is in Group B.

The winners of group C, D and E need to face each other and only ONE of them will join with the top teams in the final rounds.

The worst case scenario for Iran is to be ranked 8th in the tournament (out of 32 teams!)

Some mentioned the coach is stressed. Indeed, he looks/sounds like he could cry anytime soon..

Yes I mentioned earlier that the cause of most of the failures are because of stress which the players have. This stress in turns comes from a stressed coach. Whenever I see the coach talking to the players during time-out, he is shouting at them and acting way too excited. This won't do the players any good. Look at USA's coach, or Poland's coach... they don't do that. They remain calm, no matter what.
Velasco, our previous coach, was also very calm at any moment.

[Irannn]

let's face it we are not a top team in the world, Poland, USA and Russia are definitively stronger than Iran, for beating them we have to play our best and this team obviously doesn't play that good these days. Iran belongs to top 10 in the world at the moment, but teams like Poland, USA, Russia, Brazil etc are still too strong for Iran.

btw, World League is just a second tier tournament, we have World Cup and Asian Championship later this year, these players are already very tired it's better to test new players here. our goal should be only staying in top level and I think probably 2-3 wins at home will do the job. (Australia in Group A most probably will lose all matches and will relegate to 2nd division)

[persian-eagle-13]

we have ran out of ideas with this team. I hope we can bring Valasco back. I feel our players are not fighting like they used to fight, which means they are not buying into Kovaj idea's and plans.

[O-ZoNe]

we have ran out of ideas with this team. I hope we can bring Valasco back. I feel our players are not fighting like they used to fight, which means they are not buying into Kovaj idea's and plans.

Time to start grooming new blood from our very highly ranked youth teams. Many of these players are too comfortable and know their isn't a real challenge for their spots. Kovac has all but guaranteed he will use the same lineup and players.

[persianpopinjay]

USA 3-1 Russia. Damn that last set was intense.

[Javeed]

Time to start grooming new blood from our very highly ranked youth teams. Many of these players are too comfortable and know their isn't a real challenge for their spots. Kovac has all but guaranteed he will use the same lineup and players.

I completely disagree with your statement.
I have been following the Iranian National Volleyball Team for at least 3 years now and can tell you that the players are challenged by each other all the time.
If you even watched the first series of games against USA, you can see that Kovac is not scared to changed his lineup.
He has used Mahdavi before to replace Marouf, who I think only him and Mousavi are fairly fixed players.
The other middle Gholami actually lost his spot to Faezi, who is much taller and against USA needed the height to try and block Holt or Smith. The only issue that he is kind of slow and his serves are fairly weak.
When it comes to Right side, Ghafour and Mahmoudi switch back and forth, with mahmoudi playing more than Ghafour. I think Ghafour was injured and was one of the better players in the last World League.
The Powers are always switching. He does start with Ghaemi and Mirzanjanpour, but isn't scared to take any of them out. Usually, Zarini will play with Ghaemi but I believe he is injured at the moment. Kovac will pull the plug on Mirzanjanpour fairly quickly and either replace him with Ebadipour or the new 19 year old. Ghaemi will come out too if he isn't playing well.

From what I see Iran needs to get some more blocks. The team even with three blockers and a broken play will get scored on. That is something that cannot happen. The team also feels very disconnected, they do not come together after every point they lose (typical Iranian mentality). Some team unity and connectivity will go a long way for the team!

[persianpopinjay]

From what I see Iran needs to get some more blocks. The team even with three blockers and a broken play will get scored on. That is something that cannot happen. The team also feels very disconnected, they do not come together after every point they lose (typical Iranian mentality). Some team unity and connectivity will go a long way for the team!

IMO that's unnecessary and while I understand your point, to me that doesn't really demonstrate lack of team unity. Though if I'm not mistaken, I've seen them regroup after losing points.

[Khashayar R]

They are from IR, that's why. Where do you see Iranian women living outside Iran wearing it?

I facepalmed when i read this

[Abtin]

I facepalmed when i read this

I hope it felt good. Cause I have never seen iranian women outside Iran wear it. unless they are 60+ of age. Suddenly Iranian women in Poland wear it ? did you notice they showed no joy? IR goals.. Did any of them women attending in LA wear it? or at the World Cup in Brazil? unless of course they came from IR.

[PSGman#19]

I am not unhappy to have such a tough group for Iran. It is a good test to improve and get ready for the olympics next year.

[O-ZoNe]

I completely disagree with your statement.
I have been following the Iranian National Volleyball Team for at least 3 years now and can tell you that the players are challenged by each other all the time.
If you even watched the first series of games against USA, you can see that Kovac is not scared to changed his lineup.
He has used Mahdavi before to replace Marouf, who I think only him and Mousavi are fairly fixed players.
The other middle Gholami actually lost his spot to Faezi, who is much taller and against USA needed the height to try and block Holt or Smith. The only issue that he is kind of slow and his serves are fairly weak.
When it comes to Right side, Ghafour and Mahmoudi switch back and forth, with mahmoudi playing more than Ghafour. I think Ghafour was injured and was one of the better players in the last World League.
The Powers are always switching. He does start with Ghaemi and Mirzanjanpour, but isn't scared to take any of them out. Usually, Zarini will play with Ghaemi but I believe he is injured at the moment. Kovac will pull the plug on Mirzanjanpour fairly quickly and either replace him with Ebadipour or the new 19 year old. Ghaemi will come out too if he isn't playing well.

From what I see Iran needs to get some more blocks. The team even with three blockers and a broken play will get scored on. That is something that cannot happen. The team also feels very disconnected, they do not come together after every point they lose (typical Iranian mentality). Some team unity and connectivity will go a long way for the team!

I meant a generational shift. Dude, the serving by Iran is atrocious! We have never been a great serving team, but every easy point we earned, we gave up 1 or more back with terrible serving. You can see the players are too relaxed, the intensity seems lacking (with the exception of those over the top celebrations...like who runs around like a mad man for a point when you are down by 8)...the team without Zarif is in complete disarray, and to make matters worst, no real options other than him seem to exist. It can't hurt, we have some of the best Under 20 players in the world...why not get 1 or 2 up for a few sets and let them gain the experience.

[Z Joon]

UCL or Volleyball?

[Nokhodi]

Does anyone have a non-IRIB source to watch this. I am watching right now and they are even censoring the game action as well!