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TEHRAN – Iran\u2019s men\u2019s national volleyball team finished runners-up at the 23rd AVC Men\u2019s Volleyball Championship but Italian head coach Roberto Piazza praised his players for continuing to fight until the final point. <\/p>\n
Iran lost to hosts Japan 3-0 (25\u201321, 26\u201324, 25\u201323)\u00a0in the final match on Sunday and failed to book their place at the 2028 Olympic Games.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the most important thing is that we never gave up,\u201d Piazza said. \u201cFrom the beginning, we were in the game. We lost the first set because of our own mistakes, not because Japan played an incredible volleyball. We also had an important role in the first set and contributed to the result ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Piazza stressed that the defeat should be viewed as a team result rather than the responsibility of individual players.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter who made the mistake. I don\u2019t want to blame anyone because we play as a team,\u201d he added. \u201cIn the end, we were able to fight until the finish.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were ahead in the second set, and in the third set we were leading 6-2,\u201d Piazza explained. \u201cBut once again, at the crucial moment, when you need to find a special ball, Japan found it and we couldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Italian coach highlighted Japan\u2019s ability to deliver in decisive moments, particularly when star player Yuki Ishikawa was serving.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, this is the important conclusion,\u201d Piazza said. \u201cIn the second set, when Yuki Ishikawa was in the service zone, they found a special ball. But the real question is whether only Ishikawa was special, or whether we could have done something better.\u201d<\/p>\n
The silver medal nevertheless marked a strong campaign for Iran, and Piazza said he was proud of the squad\u2019s overall performance throughout the tournament.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am proud of my boys. I am really proud of all of them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn volleyball, you have to show your ability every day and on every ball,\u201d he said. \u201cThat is why I am very proud of my players.\u201d<\/p>\n
The tournament also provided valuable lessons for Iran as the team continue to develop under Piazza. The coach believes his players are beginning to understand what is required tactically, even if they are not yet able to execute those plans consistently.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is part of the special conditions of volleyball, and it is something we have to learn,\u201d Piazza said. \u201cFirst of all, we have to focus on ourselves, not on the opponent.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOverall, we became more consistent, and my feeling is that the boys have started to understand what they need to do, even though they cannot always execute it. But the first step is knowing exactly what you have to do. Sooner or later, you will reach the goal. We came very close.\u201d<\/p>\n
Piazza nevertheless ended his message by thanking Iranian supporters for their backing throughout the competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to thank the people of Iran for their support,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n