Iran’s volleyball team gained its second consecutive win in the FIVB World League games beating Italy 3-1.
Earlier Iran had defeated Serbia, the European champions, in Tehran, but their victory against the Italians in Modena came as a big surprise.
The Italian team was leading at the top of its group prior to this game, with Russia trailing behind at second place.
The Irnaian team's coach, Julio Velasco, drew some media attention throughout the game as he had previosly coached the Italian national team for seven years and won five championships with them. Some have attributed Iran's victory over Italy in part to the coach’s familiarity with the Italian team.
Velasco lived in Modena in the eighties during which time, under his watch, the local volleyball team became Italian champions for four consecutive years.
Reports indicate that many volleyball fans had come to the game in order to meet the popular coach again.
Iran will face Italy again on Sunday at 7 PM local time.
