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Brazil assured itself of a semi-final seat as they went on to defeat the defending FIVB World League champions Russia in four sets 3-1.

The two teams proved to be evenly matched as they have met in the finals of the World League six times since 1993. This was proven at the start of the first set as both teams did not give up putting the set into a tie-breaker, but Brazil drew first blood finishing the set 26-24.

In the second set, Dmitriy Muserskiy carried most of the load, but when Sergey Savin was substituted by Alexey Spiridonov, the Russians pulled away 18-14. Brazil tried to make a comeback through the hitting efforts of Wallace De Souza, who scored seven points, but fell short as Russian closed the set 25-22.

The strong blocking of the Brazilians seemed formidable in the third set as they roofed the attacks of Russia, giving them the set and a 2-1 advantage going to the fourth set.

The hitting efforts of De Souza, Lucas Saatkamp, Sidnei Dos Santos Junior and the blocking armada of De Souza, Santos Junior and Murilo Endres proved to be more than a match for the Russians as Brazil clinched the set and a semi-finals berth, winning the match 26-24, 22-25, 25-23, 25-22.

Brazil's win gave them three points for the round while Russia gets two points for winning against Iran Wednesday in a tight five setter. Iran gets one point for the five set effort.

Russian coach Andrey Voronkov was interviewed after the match and said that his team was tired from Wednesday night's five set match against Iran which took a lot out of his players while this is Brazil's first match but still handed it to the Brazilians "they did very well."

Russia will now await the match between Brazil and Iran. They would have to cheer for Brazil to win against Iran in order for them to continue onto the semi-final rounds.

Tagsfivb, 2014 FIVB World League, Dmitriy Muserskiy, Alexey Spiridonov, Wallace De Souza, Lucas Saatkamp, Sidnei Dos Santos Junior