Russia are one of three teams with 10 wins with one day remaining of the men's Volleyball Nations League preliminary round ©Getty Images

Six countries are in contention for the semi-final places at the men’s Volleyball Nations League, with one day of preliminary round matches remaining in Rimini.

Brazil currently top the standings with 38 points after notching up their 13th win by beating Germany 25-21, 25-21, 25-23.

Poland sit two points behind Brazil on 36 after earning their 12th win by beating Iran 25-20, 25-20, 25-16.

Behind them there is a real battle headed by Slovenia in third on 31 points.

Wins rather than points help decide the standings and Slovenia today earned their 11th win by beating Japan 25-16, 25-16, 28-26.

Behind them, three countries all sit on 10 wins - France, Russia and Serbia, who have 32, 31 and 27 points respectively.

All three recorded victories today although France had the most convincing win defeating Argentina in straight sets 26-24, 25-21, 25-22.

Russia were taken the distance by hosts Italy in the final game of the day at the RDS Stadium before prevailing 25-21, 16-25, 25-17, 19-25, 15-12, while Serbia also went five sets with The Netherlands before triumphing 25-21, 21-25, 25-18, 21-25, 17-15.

Tomorrow’s decisive final matches to decide the remaining semi-final spots see Slovenia face Bulgaria in the sixth game of the day.

France could have leapfrogged Slovenia by the time they start if they beat Poland in the fourth game of the day.

Serbia have the first chance to move into the top four when they take on Canada in the second match of the day.

Russia will know what they have to do to reach the semi-finals, if their place is not already secured by this point, when they take on Brazil in the last game of the preliminary round phase tomorrow evening.

All remaining teams are playing for points, league position and pride and elsewhere today Canada defeated basement side Australia 25-17, 25-8, 25-20, while the United States beat Bulgaria 25-19, 26-24, 25-9.