The US, vying to make it a hat-trick of triumphs at the biennial event, registered an 81-59 win over their European opponents

Awaiting the US in the semi-finals are Canada, who overcame France 73-67 to end a run of losing their last three quarter-finals in 2009, 2013 and 2015.

The other semi-final pits Spain against Italy after both nations came through their last-eight encounters today.

Italy upset 2011 champions Lithuania to win 73-68, securing their place in the semi-finals for the first time since 1991 when they went onto lose the final against the US. 

"We played a tough game but an incredible game for the full 40 minutes," Italy's Davide Denegri said.

"We made history and we are very happy to play the semi-finals. 

"This is a dream and we want to keep dreaming."

Spain, meanwhile, defeated Argentina 70-58 to reach the semi-finals for the first time since their one and only title triumph in 1999.

"It's great to be back [in the semi-finals]," Spain's Eric Vila, who posted 24 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, said.

"We worked so hard to be here right now. 

"I have no words right now. 

"We just want to enjoy this moment and then start thinking about Italy."

Both semi-finals are scheduled to take place tomorrow.

In today’s ninth-to-16^th-place play-off matches, Puerto Rico beat Angola 63-59 before New Zealand defeated Mali 87-63.

Hosts Egypt overcame Iran 57-53, while Japan downed South Korea 77-64.

The four winners will go onto contest the ninth-to-12th-place play-offs and the four losers will go onto contest the 13th-to-16th-place play-offs.

Today's beaten quarter-finalists will contest the fifth-to-eighth-place play-offs.