(BEIJING, August 20) -- Athens' silver medalist Italy survived a near-comeback by Poland to win their Men's Volleyball quarterfinal 25-19, 25-22, 18-25, 26-28, 17-15. Italy's opponent in the semifinal will be either China or Brazil, who begin their quarterfinal at 8 p.m. (UTC/GMT +8).

　　Plucky Poland fought back from two sets down and 15-15 in the fifth set, saving five match points on the way, before finally conceding defeat.

　　Valerio Vermiglio of Italy controlled the flow of the game early, with hitters Alberto Cisolla and Matteo Martino helping Italy to an early lead.

　　A strong effort form Mariusz Wlazly helped Poland regain their composure, but Martino's hitting was too much for the lower ranked Poland, with Italy finally taking the second set 25-22.

　　Complacency crept into the Italian side however, and they fumbled through a third set, which Marcin Wika of Poland finished with a booming service ace.

　　Poland shot out to an 8-2 lead in the fourth set before Polish errors saw Italy taking it down to the wire but Poland's service and aces from Michal Winiarski took the match into a dramatic fifth set.

　　Poland saved five match points through the fourth and fifth sets before Italian Martino's left-side attack sealed the set and the match 17-15.