Iran’s U21 Volleyball Team Crowned World Champions After Stunning Win Over Italy
The Iranian U21 men’s volleyball team captured the World Championship title after defeating Italy 3–1 in the final, marking the country’s third gold medal at this level.
The Iranian U21 (under 21) men’s volleyball team captured the World Championship title after defeating Italy 3–1 in the final, marking the country’s third gold medal at this level.
The final match, held after a challenging tournament run, began with Italy taking the first set 25–15 thanks to sharp serves and solid defense. But the Iranians, led by head coach Gholamreza Momeni Moghadam, responded with remarkable resilience. Tactical adjustments in the second set brought fresh energy as players like Pouya Aryakhah and Shayan Mehrabi entered the court, turning the momentum around. Iran dominated the second set 25–18 and carried that spirit into the third, edging out Italy in a tense finish 25–22. By the fourth set, Iran had full control, sealing the championship with a decisive 25–14 win.
Matin Hosseini emerged as the match’s top scorer, earning 18 points and playing a crucial role in the comeback. The Iranian squad—featuring Omran Kookjili, Ali Mombini, Arian Mahmoudi-Nejad, Seyed Matin Hosseini, Armin Gholich-Niazi, Taha Behbodnia, and Morteza Tabatabaei—outplayed Italy’s lineup of Mariani, Barotto, Zlatanov, Magalino, Mati, Taiwo, and Loreti.
This championship adds to Iran’s growing legacy in youth volleyball. The U21 team has now reached the podium four times in its 15 appearances: gold in 2019, 2023, and 2025, and bronze in 2007. The victory in 2025 is especially memorable, as the team had to overcome a gauntlet of strong opponents—Kazakhstan, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Canada, Poland, Argentina, China, and the United States—before toppling Italy in the final.
The final also echoed the dramatic 2019 championship, when Iran defeated Italy 3–2. This time, however, Iran showed greater maturity and tactical strength, closing out the match with authority. With their flawless teamwork, sharp serves, and airtight defense, the Iranian youth team once again demonstrated that they are a respected powerhouse on the world stage, fully capable of beating Europe’s strongest sides.