Serbia advanced to the semifinals of the men's volleyball world championship on Tuesaday after they beat Russia 3-1 in a close match of the third round pool match.

The 28-26, 16-25, 25-21 and 27-25 win over Russia has assured Serbia, who beat Argentina on Monday, to qualify for the semifinals as the top finishers of the Pool P.

Serbian Ivan Miljkovic scored a match-high 26 points with 25 spikes and a block and teammate Nikola Kovacevic earned 12 spikes and three blocks for 15 points.

Russian Maxim Mikhaylov did his share with 21 spikes, one block and an ace for 23 points.

Sergey Makarov, Russia captain, was left nealy speechless after saw his world second-ranked side lost to the fourth-ranked Serbia.

"We didn't play well, we are out of the world championship (podium)," he said with a discernable dismay.

In contrast to Makarov, the Serbia head coach Igor Kolakovic cut a jubilant figure.

"I was the happiest man alive when we won tonight. The important thing for us is that we qualified for the semifinals. The world championship is a great championship and I'm proud to be here," he said.

Physical unfitness and too many mistakes cost Russia's chance for the final four, according to their Daniele Bagnoli.

"In this match we couldn't play well because some players had physical problems. We made too many faults, and this is why we are out of the semifinals," he said.

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