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Iran clobbered nine-time world champion Brazil, 3-1, to move onto the semifinals for the first time in the history of the FIVB Volleyball World League.

Amir Ghafour led Iran with 23 attacks as they stunned Brazil, the two-time Olympic Gold medalists, at the Nelson Mandela Forum in Florence, Italy.

"The others may be surprised, but for us this qualification is no surprise," Ghafour said after the game. "We trained hard to win, we expected this result. We train to be champions, it's not enough yet but we are training for it."

Iran looked like they were the team to beat as they took an early lead against last year's runner-up Brazil by taking the first two sets, 25-21, and 25-19.

Ricardo Souza Lucarelli took charge in the third set as the Italians staved off the Iranians in a close 25-23 win.

While experience may be on Brazil's side, the hard-hitting attacks of Ghafour and Iran prevailed as they took the fourth set to a tie-break and sealed their victory 28-26.

Iran will now face the U.S. in the semifinals, while Brazil will go up against host nation Italy, who easily won their match against Australia 3-0.

Iran may have won the match but their Serbian coach Slobodan Kovac isn't too happy with how they played.

"I'm angry because in the third set, the team didn't play as well as it should have. We were unfocused," said Kovac.

Iran first participated in the World League last year and has never made it to the Summer Olympics, an accomplishment which can be accredited to the dedicated coach, trainers and players. 

For Brazil, it's going to be an even tougher semifinals match against eight-time World League champions Italy as they play against the home crowd. If they win, they might face the Iranians again in the finals.

Iran first participated in the World League last year and has never made it to the Summer Olympics, an accomplishment which can be accredited to the dedicated coach, trainers and players.  Iran clobberred Brazil to claim top spot in their group to move onto the semifinals for the first time in the history of the 2014 FIVB World League.

Amir Ghafour led Iran with 23 points as they stun nine-time World League champions and two-time Olympic Gold medalists Brazil to a 3-1 win at the Nelson Mandela Forum in Florence, Italy.

Ghafour, the top scorer of the game, was interviewed after the match and said that "The others may be surprised, but for us this qualification is no surprise. We trained hard to win, we expected this result. We train to be champions, it's not enough yet but we are training for it."

Iran looked like they were the team to beat as they took an early lead against last year's runner-up Brazil easily taking the first two sets.

Ricardo Souza Lucarelli took charge in the third set to oust the Iranian's in a close 25-23 win.

Experience may be in the side of the Brazilians but the hard-hitting attacks of Ghafour prevailed as they took the fourth set to a tie-break and sealed their victory 25-21, 25-19, 23-25, 28-26.

Iran will now face USA in the semi-finals while Brazil will go up against host nation Italy who easily won their match against Australia 3-0.

Iran may have won the match but their Serbian coach Slobodan Kovac isn't too happy with how they played.

"I'm angry because in the third set, the team didn't play as well as it should have - we were unfocused," said Kovac.

For Brazil, it's going to be an even tougher semi-finals match against eight-time World League champions Italy as they play with hundreds of cheering Italian fans but if they do win, they might face the Iranians again in the finals.

Tags2014 FIVB World League, Amir Ghafour, Nelson Mandela Forum, Slobodan Kovac, volleyball