TEHRAN - Iran’s men’s 
national volleyball team finished runners-up at the four-nation Ufa Cup in Russia.
The tournament, featuring Russia, Iran, Belarus and Cuba, was held in the Russian city of Ufa from August 21 to 23. The event was also listed on the Russian Volleyball Federation’s calendar as an international men’s tournament.
Russia won the title after recording three consecutive victories and collecting nine points.
Iran finished second with one victory and four points, while Cuba and Belarus—both with one win—placed third and fourth with three and two points, respectively.
Iran participated in the tournament as part of its preparations for the 2026 Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship, using the matches to improve coordination among the players.
Iran’s 14-player squad comprised Arshia Behnezhad, Ilshan Davoodipour, Seyed Eisa Naseri, Muhammad Nima Bateni, Muhammad Valizadeh, Ali Hajipour, Amin Esmaeilnejad, Morteza Sharifi, Poriya Hossein Khanzadeh, Ali Haghparast, Esmaeil Mosafer, Mobin Nasri, Muhammadreza Hazratpour and Hossein Haji Kalateh.
The same squad will represent Iran at the 2026 Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship.
Morteza Ghanbar Afjehei serves as team manager, with Roberto Piazza as head coach and Tomaso Totolo, Rahman Muhammadi Rad and Ali Fattahi as assistant coaches.
The technical staff also includes analyst Amin Shakeri, physiotherapist Hossein Kord, strength and conditioning coach Vahid Bagheri and masseur Sajjad Nouri.