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VNL answered my questions: ‘Bringing home the trophy’: Mancini dedicates tears to all of Italy after Euro 2020 triumph coach Alekno

MICHAEL REGAN/REUTERS Italy celebrate with the Euro 2020 trophy at the Wembley Stadium, London, Britain, on July 11, 2021.

Roberto Mancini said his tears were for the whole of Italy after MEHR NEWS AGENCY Iran volleyball head coach Vladimir Alekno (R) speaks in a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on July 12, 2021. winning Euro 2020 in a dramatic penalty shooutout. Victory over England brought Italy their first European Championship title since 1968 and the manager was overcome at the end. Sports Desk my main objective was to assess my team before the Olym- “We don’t even realise what we have managed to achieve,” pics. I have to remind you that Iran had not played a compet- said Mancini, who took over in 2018 after Italy had failed to ran head coach Vladimir Alekno said the Volleyball Na- itive match for nearly two years and 50 percent of the team qualify for the World Cup, Press Association reported. tions League (VNL) answered his questions about his consisted of youngsters who did not have the experience of “We are delighted for people and the Italian public because Iteam, though the Russian admitted he is not satisfied with playing at this level. I don’t believe in miracles, but we can be they really deserve this after what has been a trying period. the results in the recently-finished competition. successful with hard work.” This is great joy for us. Alekno, who had only took charge of the Asian powerhouse Next for Iran is a second consecutive participation at the “I cried on this ground 30 years ago after the 1992 Europe- in mid-April, led Iran to a below-par 12th spot in the 16-team Olympics in less than a fortnight, where Alekno’s men are pit- an Cup final [when Sampdoria lost to Barcelona]. That really VNL table in Italy in June. ted against host Japan, Poland, Italy – the silver medalist in hurt back then. Winning the European Championship for the “I found the answers to a lot of of my questions regarding Rio 2016 – Canada, and Venezuela. first time since 1968 and bringing home the trophy I do think the team’s level of fitness. The tournament was a tough chal- Asked if his team will have a significant achievement in To- it is something incredible.“It [crying] was the emotion which lenge for us as we had to play 15 games in a tight schedule,” kyo, Alekno said, “I think, except for Italy and Poland who are happens after achieving something incredible. It was the emo- REUTERS Italy coach Roberto Mancini (top) and Leonardo Bonucci celebrate the Russian said in a press conference on Monday. relatively better than us, we are capable of competing with other tion of seeing the guys celebrate and the fans in the stands. after winning Euro 2020 at Wembley Stadium, London, Britain, on “The results were probably not what you and I were hop- teams in the group and hope for success against them. My game Seeing everything we have managed to create, all of the hard July 11, 2021. ing for, but there were some positive points to our campaign plan has always been to take one step at a time. I don’t make work we have put in over the last three years but specifically as you saw a group of young players in the team who are the predictions as there are no guaranties in sport.” the last 50 days which have been very hard. demned racist abuse aimed at England’s Sancho, Saka, and future of Iranian volleyball,” added Alekno. “The volleyball facilities in Iran are as good as anywhere “It’s the fact we have been able to forge this team spirit over Marcus Rashford after the trio missed penalties in Sunday’s Alekno said he had told the federation before leaving for else in the world, but to win an Olympic medal, perhaps tech- the last 50 days – they have really created something which shootout loss. Italy that the tournament would be “a test for Iran before the nical changes need to be made to the style of play in the do- can never be separated going forward. They will always be The Metropolitan Police is investigating the abuse and said Tokyo Olympics” as his priority was to “put the younger play- mestic league,” insisted the Russian. synonymous with this triumph.” “it will not be tolerated”, BBC Sport reported. ers under the mental pressure of playing in big matches.” Alekno enjoys a glittering career in the Olympics, leading Luke Shaw had put England ahead after only one minute Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the abuse “appalling”. “We could have won some of the games we lost – namely his country to the gold medal in 2012 in London, having won and 57 seconds but Italy, who lost to Spain in the 2012 final, “This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not ra- against Serbia – with a couple of changes during the match but the bronze in Beijing 2008. slowly got to grips with the game. cially abused on social media,” he said. Mancini said: “I’m very happy because the team played “Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be well and we deserved the victory. The goal did cause us a ashamed of themselves.” few issues in the first 15 minutes but then we started to take England’s players have taken a knee before games at the control of the game. We were disappointed we had to dig in Euros to highlight the fight against racial inequality. Djokovic tipped to reach 25 majors and go all the way to penalties but we are very happy for Ital- The FA said it was “appalled” by the “online racism” of the ians everywhere.”Italy’s goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, three players following the defeat at Wembley. saved from Jadon Sancho and, decisively, Bukayo Saka to It added: “We could not be clearer that anyone behind such after Wimbledon victory win the shootout. “We are very fortunate to have Donnarum- disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team. ma,” Mancini said. “I was sure he was going to save a couple “We will do all we can to support the players affected while of penalties because he is the best goalkeeper in the world. He urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone respon- really is a wonderful guy and incredible goalkeeper.” sible. “Social media companies need to step up and take account- Racial abuse condemned ability and action to ban abusers from their platforms, gather evidence that can lead to prosecution and support making The UK prime minister and the Football Association con- their platforms free from this type of abhorrent abuse.” Iran in talks with football legend Mahdavikia for U-23 job

Sports Desk

Iran Football Federation is closing in on appointing legendary midfielder Mehdi Mahdavikia as the manager of the under-23 side, the federation chief said. “The federation has reached a gen- eral agreement with Mahdavikia,” Shahabeddin Azizi-Khadem said on Sunday, adding, “We will be waiting for his comprehensive plan for the

TOBY MELVILLE/REUTERS under-23 and youth-level teams in the Serbia’s Novak Djokovic holds aloft the men’s singles trophy at Wimbledon in London, Britain, on July 11, 2021. coming days,” IRNA reported. However, Azizi-Khadem added that ex-Iranian international will first have HAMBURGER SV Novak Djokovic’s ability to play his “I think he’ll probably win at least and realises how great they are.” to gain the permission of German club best tennis under pressure can help him four or five more ... depending on stay- Djokovic’s coach and former Wim- Hamburger SV, where he is under con- the preliminary round of the AFC U23 best players in the history of Iranian win at least five more Grand Slam titles, ing healthy,” added the American. bledon champion Goran Ivanisevic said tract as a youth coach, before he can Asian Cup in October. football, former right full-back and John McEnroe said after the world num- “He’s put himself so far out in front of that the debate over the greatest player take Iran’s job. Iran is pitted against host Tajikistan, winger was part of the Iranian team ber one tied Roger Federer and Rafael everyone in terms of his ability to em- of all time could be settled if the Serb Having become an ultimate fan fa- Lebanon, and Nepal in Group B of the that famously qualified for at the 1998 Nadal’s record with his 20th major at brace what he’s doing – in terms of cre- wins the US Open and completes the vorite during his eight seasons in Ham- qualifiers. World Cup in France, where he was on Wimbledon on Sunday. ating history - and being able to execute calendar Grand Slam. burger SV, Mahdavikia has dedicated Also a former player of Iranian gi- the score sheet in a memorable 2-1 vic- The 34-year-old Serb beat Italian sev- under a lot of stress. Rod Laver was the last man to win all his career to grassroots football since ants Persepolis and side tory over USA. enth seed Matteo Berrettini 6-7(4), 6-4, “You’re trying to break the all-time four majors in a single year in 1969. he hung up his boots in 2013, founding , Mahdavikia made The Asian Footballer of the Year in 6-4, 6-3 in the final, and McEnroe, a records – there’s a lot of pressure. He’s “He’s the only guy who can win four his own Iranian youth academy, FC 111 appearances in the Iranian outfit, 2003 also represented the country at seven-time major winner, told the BBC able to play his best tennis at this point. in a row in the same year,” Ivanisevic Kia, in 2016. having 13 international goals under his the AFC Asian Cup in 1996 and 2004 – that he was “playing better than he’s You expect that to go on for another cou- told British media. “If he wins the US Should Mahdavikia take the job, belt. finishing third on both occasions – and ever played”, Reuters reported. ple of years, unless someone steps up Open, (the debate) is over.” he will be tasked with leading Iran at Considered by many as one of the the 2006 World Cup in Germany.