Poland, the world champions, went into the last matches on the back of ten wins out of ten in the round-robin format but they were beaten in four sets by Italy who triumphed 26-24, 22-25, 25-22, 25-19.

That saw Italy go above the Poles in the table on sets difference as both countries subsequently ended the tournament with ten victories and one defeat.

With only the top two qualifying for Rio, it confirmed Italy's spot while Poland were left sweating on the US who were also hoping to finish on a record of won ten, lost one after their game with Argentina.

They made no mistake, winning 25-20, 25-21, 17-25, 25-20 and their sets difference saw them leap to the top of the pile and eliminate the Poles.

Poland's hopes now rely on the European qualification tournament and their concession of 11 sets, compared to eight by Italy and just six by the US, proved to be crucial as the top three all beat each other.

The Poles would have advanced with a 3-2 defeat against Italy as the competition was decided by the narrowest of margins.

Elsewhere at the event in Tokyo, hosts Japan were beaten in five sets by Russia who won 27-29, 25-17, 21-25, 25-17, 15-13.

The Japanese finished sixth in the group with Argentina fourth and the Russians fifth.

Canada finished seventh after beating bottom side Tunisia, who lost every game, 25-19, 25-21, 25-17, while Iran were eighth after a 25-18, 25-11, 25-23 success over 10th placed Egypt.

Australia, in ninth, beat 11th placed Venezuela 25-16, 25-21, 22-25, 25-21 in their final game.



Related stories
September 2015: Poland edge closer to men's FIVB World Cup title with victory over hosts Japan
September 2015: Poland take control of FIVB Men's World Cup by winning crunch clash with United States
September 2015: High fliers edge closer to Rio 2016 qualification at Men's Volleyball World Cup
September 2015: United States and Poland in seventh heaven at FIVB Men's World Cup
September 2015: US and Poland remain unbeaten as Canada win record-breaker at FIVB Men's World Cup