Long rally (Italy - Iran)

Great rally between two of really strong national teams in Grand Champions Cup 2013 . These teams had played five times before, with Italy coming out on top in four of those contests, most recently winning 3:2 in World League competition in Sassari. Fantastic sequence in 4th set: the ball changes sides for 15 times. Italy was leading 24:23 in fourth set and thanks to Jiri Kovar great spike his team won 25:23. He scored 17 points in that game (12 attacks, 3 aces and 2 blocks). Iran won in tie-break (15:12). Mauro Berutto (coach of Italy NT) said: "Most importantly I have to congratulate the team from Iran. We knew them well having played two matches in the World League in June and July. It’s always a fight like tonight, so we respect them a lot. It’s always extremely difficult. I have to say I admire them, the way the play. They wish to show their best, and we have to learn from this kind of attitude. The meaning of this tournament for us is to give this kind of experience to our young players. I was joking with my assistant about the fact that our captain is just 24 years old".

#JiriKovar #Italy #Iran #GrandChampionsCup2013 #longrally