Paralympics: Bosnia unseat Iran to win volleyball GOLD
LONDON: Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday exacted revenge on Iran for their Paralympic final defeat in Beijing four years ago, to win gold in London in the men’s sitting volleyball.
“It is a dream we have had for so long and we have made it.”
The Balkan team, seven-time European champions, took the match 3-1, fighting back after losing the first set 19-25 at the ExCeL arena on the final full day of competition at the Games.
“After we lost the first set we realised that the only way for us to win was to attack only. That’s how we tipped the balance,” said Bosnia captain Sabahudin Delalic.
The match could have swung the other way, however, with the second set at one point tied at 18-all but Bosnia landed their spikes more accurately and took the set 25-21, which gave them confidence to win the third 25-22.
Iran looked beaten in the fourth as Bosnia surged to an 18-13 lead and held on for the win, 25-15.
A dejected Iran coach Hadi Rezaeigarkani said afterwards: “I accept full resposibility for the loss. It was my fault. It wasn’t my or our day today.”
Reza Peidayesh added: “Physically they were very strong. We tried our best and did all we could but we lost today.”
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
Images-Associated Press
This entry was posted on September 9, 2012, in Bosnia and Herzegovina and tagged Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia captain Sabahudin Delalic., GOLD, gold medal, Hadi Rezaeigarkani, Iran coach Hadi Rezaeigarkani, Iran looked beaten,Paralympics, Paralympics: Volleyball GOLD for Bosnia and Herzegovina!, paraolympics results, Reza Peidayesh, Sabahudin Delalic., seven-time European champions, sitting volleyball, The Balkan team, Volleyball, Volleyball GOLD for Bosnia.