Ukraine suffered a 1:3 (25:22, 17:25, 21:25, 23:25) defeat to host Serbia in a match from the 10th round of the Men's Nations League, played in Belgrade. Despite the loss, Raul Lozano's team remains sixth in the provisional standings and continues to hold its fate in its own hands in the battle for a spot in the Final Eight.
The Ukrainians started the match excellently and, after an even play in the first set, delivered the decisive blow at the end. Dmytro Yanchuk scored two consecutive aces, and Vasyl Tupchii was also flawless in key moments for the 25:22 victory.
After that, Serbia took the initiative. The hosts applied strong pressure with their serve and block, convincingly won the second set with 25:17, and in the third, they thwarted Ukraine's attempts to come back and closed it at 25:21.
The fourth set was the most dramatic. The Ukrainians took a four-point lead in the middle of the set and seemed close to forcing the match into a tie-break. However, Serbia caught up, and in the tense finish, a block against Tupchii brought match point, which the hosts converted for the final 25:23.
After this defeat, Ukraine remains in sixth place, and a crucial clash with Turkey awaits them on Saturday (July 18), which could prove decisive for qualifying for the Final Eight.

photo:volleyballworld.com