Roberto Piazza, head coach of the Iranian men's national volleyball team, stated that his team will face serious difficulties in the third round of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL), but believes this is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the ability to compete with the best global teams.
Schedule and Expectations
During the third week, Iran will play against Ukraine, Germany, Slovenia, and Turkey. The tournament starts on Wednesday in Belgrade, Serbia. Piazza noted: 'It will be a tough week, but it is also a wonderful opportunity for us to prove that we are on par with the leading teams in the world.'
Team Preparation
The Italian coach highly praised his team's preparation, emphasizing that the training camp allowed players to focus on personal development and assess the progress made since the start of the competition in the first week. He added: 'This camp was very positive because we were able to focus on ourselves. We looked back at how we played in the First Week and how much we improved.'
Boosting Confidence
Piazza highlighted Iran's successful matches against volleyball giants such as France, the United States, Japan, and Cuba. According to him, these games significantly strengthened the team's confidence. The coach stressed the importance of these performances for the players' morale: 'Focusing on these performances is very important for our confidence. We must believe that it is possible. Now we are beginning to realize that what seemed unattainable is actually within our grasp. That is the most important thing.'
First Match Against Ukraine
Regarding the first match against Ukraine, Piazza expects a meeting with a highly motivated opponent. He suggested that the Ukrainian team will strive to avenge the events of last season in Brazil. Since it is also the first match of the week, they will be fully prepared. The coach reported that both teams are entering the game with healthy rosters, having recovered from injuries. 'Everything has been reset, so it will be a very difficult match.'
Further Challenges
Piazza warned that Iran's second match against Germany could prove even more demanding, given that Germany had a outstanding campaign in the tournament. After that, they will play Slovenia and Turkey, who are also very strong teams. Despite the tight schedule, the coach remains optimistic, believing this is exactly the challenge they need. He concluded by reminding that at the elite level, the difference is often only two points.
