Publish Date: 3 June 2017 - 09:39

TEHRAN, Jun. 03 (MNA) – Iranian volleyball players opened their 2017 FIVB Volleyball World League with a 3-0 defeat in the face of Italian rivals.

Held in Pesaro of Italy on Friday evening, the host team managed to overcome Iran with a straight-set win. The Iranian side therefore conceded a defeat when Italy claimed a 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-22) shutout.

In the first set, Italy took a 6-2 league and kept a good margin throughout the set. Iran spared no effort to return to the campaign but the European country outfit finished 25-22.

The second set began in favor of Iran as they secured a 9-5 lead though they failed to keep the result as it was Italy who collected the two last points to close the set at 25-23.

Iran had the same destiny in the concluding set and, although the two sides exchanged points up to 20-20, it was Italy who wrapped up the set 25-22 and pulled out its first victory.

Since 2013, Italy and Iran have met nine times in the World League and this was the sixth win for the European side.

The Persian squad is slated to take up Brazil’s national volleyball team, as the reigning Olympic champion, on Saturday in Pesaro.

Brazil have won three of their last four major encounters with Iran, all matches in the World League.

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