Earvin Ngapeth was France's top scorer as they beat Russia ©Volleyball World

Poland and Brazil both recorded three-set wins to continue setting the pace at the men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Rimini.

The Poles brushed aside Bulgaria 25-19, 25-15, 25-12, while Brazil defeated the lowly Dutch 25-19, 25-22, 27-25.

Just as Brazil and Poland have each only lost one match, The Netherlands and Bulgaria have each only won one.

Yet they stay off the bottom of the VNL standings thanks to winless Australia, who fell 25-18, 21-25, 28-26, 26-24 to Japan today and remain pointless.

Brazil and Poland each have 18 points, with the latter currently ahead thanks to their superior set ratio.



France beat Russia 22-25, 25-18, 30-28, 25-19 in one of only two other matches to reach four sets today, and they are third in the table with six wins from seven by 17 points.

Earvin Ngapeth had a game-leading 21 points for the French.

Serbia came from behind to beat Germany 19-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-15.

Slovenia, Iran and hosts Italy all picked up three-set wins in the Rimini bubble today, in turn versus Canada, the United States and Argentina.

Men's matches continue tomorrow, with all 16 teams due to play.