Sitting Volleyball Day 9 Preview: Iran hopes to take back gold

(BEIJING, September 14) -- Defending gold medalist Bosnia and Herzegovina ended Iran's 12-year-long Paralympic championship reign in Men's Sitting Basketball in Athens 2004 and will try to create a dynasty of their own by beating Iran again when the two teams meet in the finals on Monday, September 15, at 6:00 p.m. (UTC/GMT +8).

World No. 3 and defending bronze medalists Egypt will compete with World No. 5 Russia in the bronze medal match at 4:00 p.m.

Bosnia and Herzegovina v Iran -- Gold medal match

- Bosnia and Herzegovina is World No. 1.

- Bosnia and Herzegovina won four matches out of four at these Paralympics, dropping just one set to Russia.

- Safet Alibasic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the best blocker at these Paralympics, with 24 kill blocks out of 58 attempts.

- Iran won the silver medal at the last Paralympic Games.

- Before losing the final to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2004, Iran had won gold at the previous four Paralympics.

- Iran is World No. 2.

- Iran has a perfect record so far and has not lost a single set.

- Iran's attack is the most dangerous of the tournament, as the team can rely on the first and the second best spikers of the tournament, Davood Alipourian and Isa Zirahi. They've scored 22 and 30 spikes respectively, with an efficacy rate of 28.33 and 27.54.

Egypt v Russia -- Bronze medal match

- Egypt was the bronze medalist at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games and is No. 3 in the world.

- At these Games, Egypt won two matches in straight sets, but lost to Iran and to Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0.

- Russia is World No. 5. This is their first Paralympic Games.

- Russia won two matches 3-0, but lost to Iran in straight sets and to Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1.

- Viktor Milenin of Russia is the third best scorer of the tournament with 65 points (44 spikes, 14 blocks, seven aces). He is also the best server.