(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Iran Triumphs Over Italy to Win Third U21 Volleyball World Championship; USA Celebrates Historic Bronze
Published: September 1, 2025
Iran once again proved their dominance in men’s volleyball by defeating Italy to secure their third FIVB Men’s U21 World Championship title at the Jiangmen Sports Center on Sunday. The defending champions bounced back from an early setback to claim a 3-1 victory (15-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-14) and retain their crown.
Italy made a strong start, taking the first set convincingly, but Iran regrouped quickly. With sharp attacks and strong defense, they turned the game around, winning the next three sets in style. This marks Iran’s back-to-back U21 title and their third overall in this prestigious competition. Seyed Matin Hosseini Tolouti led the charge with 18 points, while teammate Pouya Ariakhah added 15.
USA Makes History With First-Ever Medal
The United States made history by securing their first medal in the tournament’s history, earning bronze after a commanding 3-0 sweep over Czechia (25-20, 25-19, 25-18). Team USA displayed composure and teamwork, with captain Sean Kelly leading with 19 points. After years of near misses, the victory placed the Americans firmly on the world stage.
Other Key Results
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France (5th place): Came from behind to beat Poland 3-1, with Adrien Roure leading the scoring.
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Cuba (7th place): Defeated hosts China 3-1, powered by Daniel Martinez’s 26 points.
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Ukraine (9th place): Swept Bulgaria 3-0 with strong collective play.
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Japan (11th place): Outlasted Korea 3-1, capitalizing on fewer errors.
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Egypt (13th place): Beat Kazakhstan 3-0 thanks to solid blocking.
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Argentina (15th place): Overcame Türkiye 3-1 with Fausto Diaz shining with 29 points.
A Tournament to Remember
From Iran’s championship run to USA’s historic bronze and thrilling placement matches, the FIVB Men’s U21 Volleyball World Championship 2025 offered fans around the globe plenty of drama, skill, and unforgettable moments.
