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[FONT="]Nagoya, Japan, November 22, 2011 - An inspired Iran posted a five-set victory (25-17, 18-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-11) on the third day of first-round action in the 2011 FIVB Men's World Cup at "Nippongaishi" sports hall on Tuesday afternoon. The victory gave Iran a 2-1 mark in the tournament, while European champion Serbia slumped to 0-3. Mehdi Bazargarde (17 points) and Mohammad Mousavi (14 points) led a balanced scoring attack for Iran, which played a fine all-around game under the direction of coach Julio Velasco. Ivan Miljkovic was the focal point for Serbia, scoring a match-high 22 points. Dragan Stankovic and Marko Podrascanin added 14 each. Pourya Fayazi was named the most impressive player of the match.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="]Bazargarde rose high for a spike to give Iran an 8-7 lead at the first TTO in the opening set. Miljkovic scored four early points for Serbia. A nice dink by Serbia's Vlado Petkovic made it 9-8 for Iran. Iran ran off the next four points and Serbia took a timeout trailing 13-9. The Iranians led 16-12 at the second TTO. Down 20-14, Serbia called another timeout. When Serbia scored three straight points, Iran responded with a timeout of its own. Mousavi drilled a spike after the timeout to make it 22-17 Iran. A Serbian mistake gave Iran set point and they closed it out 25-17 on a good block at the net. Bazargarde led Iran with five points in the set.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="]Serbia moved out to a 5-2 lead in the second set after a strong spike by Miljkovic. The Serbs led 8-5 at the first TTO. Iran scored the first three points after the TTO to equalize 8-8. A Bazargarde block put Iran ahead 12-8 and Serbia then called timeout. Podrascanin split the Iranian defense with a spike and Serbia tied the score 12-12. Serbia was in front 16-14 at the second TTO. Following the TTO, Serbia took the next three points. A Miljkovic spike made it 23-17 for Serbia and they took the set 25-18. Miljkovic led the way for Serbia with five points in the second set, while Arash Kamalvand had the same for Iran.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="]The third set was tightly contested early on. Bazargarde soared to smash a spike and Iran had an 8-7 advantage at the first TTO. Serbia was ahead 15-12 when Iran's Pourya Fayazi scored on a nice dink. The Serbs were on top 16-12 at the second TTO. Iran closed to within 18-17, but Amir Ghafour then served into the net. A Miljkovic spike gave Serbia a 23-20 lead and the set appeared within grasp. Serbia clinched it 25-21 on a block by Miljkovic.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="]A Bazargarde block staked Iran to a 7-3 edge in the fourth set. Iran was up 8-6 at the first TTO. An Iranian error knotted the score 10-10. An Alireza Nadi spike gave Iran a 15-12 lead and they led 16-12 at the second TTO. A Miljkovic spike sailed long and Iran boosted its lead to 19-13. With a 22-19 lead, Iran took a timeout. Serbia held off a set point on a spike by Podrascanin, but succumbed on the ensuing point 25-21.[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
[FONT="]The final set was tight as expected. A Podrascanin spike tied the score 6-6 and he followed that with a service ace. Miljkovic responded with a spike to make it 7-7 and Serbia was on top 8-7 at the TTO. A beautiful dink by Stankovic made it 9-8 for Serbia. Iran fought back and took a 10-9 lead on a block by Alireza then went up 11-9 when Serbia touched a ball that appeared headed out. A spike by Bazargarde put Iran up 13-9 and Serbia then called a timeout. Iran clinched the match 15-11 on a spike by Fayazi. [/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
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