The Italians won 10-7 at the Sports Center Milan Gale Muškatirović in Belgrade, despite Giacomo Cannella being shown a red card midway through the fourth quarter.

They had to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first quarter with three goals from Cannella before his dismissal playing a crucial part. 

Serbia secured their qualification for the quarter-finals yesterday by clinching top spot in Group C. 

The United States are also through to the last eight courtesy of a 14-4 win over Canada.

John Hooper claimed four of the goals, three of which came in the final quarter, as the Americans earned an encounter with Group B winners Croatia.

Another nation advancing to the last eight were Spain, who overcame China 27-5 to set up a meeting with Group A winners Greece.

Roger Tahull and Alex De La Fuente were the Spaniards' top goalscorers with four each. 

The last match of the day saw Montenegro progress through to a quarter-final against Group D winners Hungary with a 16-5 victory over Australia.

Montenegro never looked back after racing into a 4-0 lead. 

All four quarter-final ties are scheduled to take place tomorrow.

They will be preceded by the ninth-to-12th-place classification matches between Canada and China and Russia and Australia.

The 13th-to-20th-place classification matches were also held today with Iran among the winners thanks to a 14-9 success over South Africa.

Awaiting them in tomorrow's 13th-to-16th-place semi-finals are The Netherlands, who beat New Zealand 14-4.

The other semi-final pits Egypt against Japan after they both came through their clashes today.

Egypt defeated Puerto Rico 10-6, while Japan overcame Argentina 23-8.

In tomorrow's 17th-to-20th-place semi-finals, South Africa will face New Zealand and Puerto Rico will go up against Argentina.