Italy and Serbia have reached the semi-finals of the FIVB Women's Under-20 World Championship ©Getty Images

Russia stunned the United States to keep their International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Women's Under-20 World Championship title hopes alive, while Italy and Serbia booked places in the semi-finals.

Playing in Rotterdam, the Russians squandered four match points before finally earning a 25-13, 25-22, 28-30, 25-23 victory.

It is the first US defeat of the tournament and represents a modicum of revenge for Russia, who lost to the Americans in four sets in the first group phase.

In Pool E's other match, co-hosts The Netherlands swept aside Brazil 25-20, 25-17, 25-18.

The Dutch face the Americans tomorrow knowing a win will see them advance to the final four and would likely eliminate the US, while an American victory could leave three teams on the same points total.


Across the Belgian border in Kortrijk, the Pool F equation is far more straightforward. 

Serbia and Italy are both through, and the winner of their match tomorrow will top the pool.

Italy were made to work by Poland today, but triumphed 25-12, 19-25, 27-25, 25-12. 

Serbia overcame the Dominican Republic 25-13, 25-18, 25-18.