Tehran, Iran, July 2, 2015 – Russia coach Aleksandr Klimkin and Iran coach Slobodan Kovac assessed their match-up in Pool B of the FIVB Volleyball World League in Tehran.
Russia coach Aleksandr Klimkin: “Iran have emerged as one of the top teams in recent years. We know that it will difficult match for us considering the current condition of the team. I wish success for our team in these encounters. Iran might have the same wish but we must wait on the outcome on Friday.
“Maxim Mikhaylov is injured and he cannot be with the team here in Iran.”
Russia captain Andrey Ashchev: “It will surely be a fantastic but difficult match. Both sides need to earn the points in this match.”
Iran coach Slobodan Kovac: “Every match against the Russians is difficult because they are the Olympic champions. Nobody can claim it will be an easy match. We are playing at home with 15,000 supporters; they may not know how difficult it is to play here. Of course, we want to take advantage of the atmosphere to win but I expect a difficult match. We will do everything to win because we have to take the chance to be able to join the Final Six.
Iran captain Mir Saeid Marouflakrani: “We defeated Russia twice in their home turf. Of course, we have achieved what we were intended to do, and that was to preserve our top-level status in the world. We will try our best to win the final matches of the preliminary round.