Iran beat Poland in five sets 3-2 (25-21, 23-25, 21-25, 25-16, 15-11).
“I am so happy because we won a difficult game. I said in the changing room to my players before the match that I do not think about the sets and the points,” Kovac said in the post match news conference.
“No matter whether we win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2, just think of the result and the people. It is so difficult to play against the world champion."
“It is difficult to play the same volleyball as we played with USA against Poland, because we are playing against the world's best," Kovac said, adding, "The important point is that we won the game."
“In important moments, we came back to the game and we finished the fourth set 25-16. Congratulations to Poland, who dealt with the atmosphere here very well,” Kovac added.