Iran win Asian Games basketball bronze amid emotional scenes
Players celebrate podium finish that brings exemption from conscription, saying the pressure was 'out of this world'.
Iran withstood a late fightback to beat China 79-70 and win the Asian Games men’s basketball bronze, an achievement that left their players “speechless” after months of war back home.
China led 31-29 at half-time in Nagoya, but Iran took charge in the third quarter to lead 55-46 going into the fourth and held on to prompt wild celebrations and secure a place on the podium on Sunday.
“To be honest with you, I’m just speechless,” said 6ft 8in (203cm) power forward Arsalan Kazemi, who, in 2013, was the first Iranian to be drafted into the NBA by the Washington Wizards but never made a regular-season appearance.
“We had a very tough two months. We went to the Philippines to play the qualifiers, then immediately we came here.”