International Paraolympic Committee
Iran’s men’s sitting volleyball team was the favourite heading into Paris 2024, and they showed why on day nine of the Paralympic Games, winning their eighth Paralympic title with a 3-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Our team deserved to win this Paralympic gold medal. It was somewhat hard, but it was one of the most interesting matches,” said Iran’s Meisam Ali Pour.
This was the fifth time that these two countries have met in the men’s Paralympic gold medal match, and while Bosnia and Herzegovina won the first set 22-25, Iran responded by winning the next three 30-28, 25-16, 25-14.
Morteza Mehrzadselakjani, who was also on Iran's Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 gold medal winning teams, was Iran’s top point scorer in the final.
“Morteza can be considered as one of the most important players in the world. He knows what to do, he’s the best spiker, and whenever possible he will be able to get points,” said Ali Pour.
“But it doesn’t mean that he’s going to do it all by himself. We have another player, Ramezan Salehihajikolaei who is a good setter. He sets the ball for Morteza to spike.
“The whole team has cooperated together to become Paralympic champions.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina has now won seven consecutive Paralympic men’s sitting volleyball medals, with silver in Paris being an improvement on their Tokyo 2020 bronze.
“It’s a sliver medal, but it’s like gold for us. We won the first set and nearly won the second, but I’ve said before that Iran is very good,” said Mirzet Duran.
“We are a very small country - about three million people - and we have seven Paralympic medals in only one sport.
“This is a big achievement for all sport in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
Egypt win close battle for bronze
Egypt won 3-2 over Germany in a close men’s bronze medal match, in which just six points separated the two teams.
“I’m very happy, it was a very hard match and we made some mistakes. I kept telling my team on the court to relax and focus,” said Egypt’s Hesham Elshwikh, who also won bronze at Athens 2004 and Rio 2016.
“Because it was such a close game throughout. But I’m very, very happy with my team.
“I’m very lucky to have a team of players who fight all the time - whether they lose or win.”
After alternating sets 25-22, 23-25, 25-23, 23-25, Egypt won the fifth set 15-10 to secure bronze.
“I think this was worthy of a bronze medal match at the Paralympic Games. These are the types of matches that don’t deserve (just) one winner,” said Germany’s Juergen Schrapp, who also played for bronze at Athens 2004 and London 2012, successfully making it onto the podium in London.
“When you look at the results of the sets, it was as close as it can be. In the end, it was Egypt who deserved it.
“I think we put everything on the court today for us, for our fans. There was a terrific crowd here. But in the end, we are very sad to lose this match.”
The women’s sitting volleyball finals are set for 7 September. USA will play China for gold, with Brazil and Canada facing off for bronze.
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