Iranian opposite hitter Shahram Mahmoudi believes that Iran volleyball team has done a good job finishing in fifth place in the Olympic Games since they experienced the competition for the first time.

Iran advanced to the quarters as the fourth team but failed to book a place in the semis, suffering a 3-0 defeat against Italy.

“I think we have to be happy because of the results we earned in the Olympics. A lot of people think maybe I want to make excuse but I have to say Olympics was different from all previous competitions we took part,” he said.

“We lost to Italy in quarter-final since they are more experienced than we are.  We could not defeat them and we should accept reality as it is,” he added.

Hitting back at critics, Mahmoudi said, “I think Iran national volleyball team did a good job in the Olympics. Many of the current players will likely withdrew from the national duty and the young players replace them.”

“We are satisfied with the way we played at Olympics and did our best to make Iranian people happy,” Mahmoudi concluded.

The opposite hitter had already said he will retire from the national duty after the Olympics.