MATCH INFO

Bahía Blanca, Argentina, August 20, 2011 - Closing Pool D action on Day 2, Iran pulled off a great victory over Serbia in four sets (25-22, 13-25, 30-28, 25-18). Both teams are now with a 1-1 record, but while Iran will take on winless Puerto Rico in the final day, Serbia will deal with a tough challenge against Spain.

With a remarkable count of 29 points, Uros Kovacevic headed the struggle for his team. Iran showed two players tied as the team's top scorer: Milad Ebadipour and Javad Hosseinabadi scored 14 points each.

Iran pressured with both Hosseinabadi (7 points) and Ebadipour (2 aces; 4 in the whole match) to take the ground against Serbia in the first sets. The Iranians showed confidence and energy, focused on the game, and netted the set in 25-22 with an excellent block from Ebadipour.

Kovacevic mightly led Serbia to a fantastic recovery, by 25-13 on the second set. The left-handed spiker contributed to the cause with 11 points, unstoppable in attack, and Iran had no answers. The same Kovacevic scored the final point.

High-level volleyball was played in the third set, with excellent defense on both sides and Serbia holding the lead until 23-21. Iran reacted and climbed back to a 24 point tie, and after a while Hosseinabadi thundered for a 30-28 board.

Serbia showed some bad signs and gave away points by mistakes to speed up the end of the game. Even though captain Pourya Fayazi started the set on the bench, he came into the court to support Hosseinabadi and seal a big victory by 25-19.

After this, Puerto Rico is the only team in Pool D already out of the race. Spain is into the next round, and both Serbia and Iran have a shot for staying in Bahía Blanca.