European champions Russia ended a two-game losing streak with an 86-69 mauling of Serbia & Montenegro in Izmir.

Igor Grudin's team, stung by losses to Spain and Lithuania, hit back in grand style with a battling victory which they needed in order to ensure qualification to the quarter-finals.

Serbia & Montenegro led 37-31 with 2:31 to go in the second quarter but a nine-point run around half-time swung the game back in Russia's favour and another eight-point run put them firmly in control.

Superstar center Maria Stepanova won the battle of the boards, collecting 12 rebounds while Elen Shakirova picked up a match-best 20 points.

Monika Veselovski poured in 15 points for the Serbo-Montenegrins but it wasn't enough.

Russia have not been at their best so far in the competition, but the team will not be panicking just yet.

In 2003, Russia dropped games to Slovakia and Spain in the preliminary round. However, they saved their best for the second stage of the competition, beating France, Spain and the previously unbeaten Czech Republic to claim the gold medal.