Key Takeaways
- Iran beat China 79-70 to secure Asian Games men’s basketball bronze.
- Players described the pressure of representing their country amid ongoing conflict.
- Victory brought emotional celebrations and relief for the Iranian team.
Iran's men's basketball team secured a hard-fought bronze medal at the Asian Games, defeating China 79-70 in a thrilling final on Sunday in Nagoya.
The victory was particularly significant for the Iranian players, who had endured months of conflict back home, with Arsalan Kazemi, a 202cm power forward, expressing his emotions: 'To be honest with you I’m just speechless.'
Kazemi, who was the first Iranian to be drafted in the NBA by the Washington Wizards in 2013, highlighted the immense pressure the team faced: 'The pressure that we had on us is just out of this world.'
Teammate Arman Zangeneh, a 203cm forward, added that the squad had faced numerous challenges, including a grueling two-month period: 'We had a very tough two months. We went to the Philippines to play the qualifiers, then immediately we came here.'
Despite the difficulties, Zangeneh emphasized the importance of the medal: 'If you get the medal at the Asian Games you don’t need to go to the army any more, so it’s huge for some players.'
The victory brought emotional relief and celebrations for the Iranian team, who had been through a lot: 'We had a very tough two months. We went to the Philippines to play the qualifiers, then immediately we came here. It was really difficult. And living in a container, with the food and everything, it was hard, very hard.'
Kazemi concluded by expressing gratitude to the people of Iran: 'I just congratulate the people of Iran because they deserve much better. And I think my teammates and I put our hearts out on the court today just to get this win and make them happy.'
The team's achievement was a source of pride and relief, not just for the players but for their families and the nation as a whole, who had been through a difficult period.
To be honest with you I’m just speechless.
Arsalan Kazemi, 202cm power forward
The pressure that we had on us is just out of this world.
Arsalan Kazemi, 202cm power forward
If you get the medal at the Asian Games you don’t need to go to the army any more, so it’s huge for some players.
Arman Zangeneh, 203cm forward
