Having emerged as the winners of Pool A, the Dutch began as the favourites to reach the final against the two-time World Cup winners, who were runners-up in Pool B.

Pre-match predictions looked likely to be fulfilled as they stormed into a 16-11 lead and despite an Italian fightback which took the score to 21-all, they were eventually able to take the opener 25-23.

Led by their captain Maret Balkenstein-Grothues, the Dutch maintained control of the contest and claimed the remaining sets 25-21, 25-19 to secure victory and move to within one match of their first Olympic women’s tournament since Beijing 2008.

"I feel very, very, very good,” said head coach of the Netherlands Giovanni Guidetti, who is Italian.

“What my team did in this tournament is really exceptional, because we were almost in hell after that first game against Germany.

“But after this match we did an amazing team meeting and looked each other in the eyes making a deal to give the best of ourselves.”

Turkey had won the Olympic qualifier in front of their home fans to reach London 2012, but they were unable to replicate the feat as Russia were able to end their bid at the Baskent Hall.

The hosts started the faster of the two teams as they took the opening set 25-21, but Russia hit back to end their opponents dream by winning the next three sets 25-18, 25-12, 25-20.

Meanwhile,  France reached the semi-finals of the men’s competition in style as they sealed their third consecutive win to finish top of Pool B in Berlin.

The European champions secured the opening set of the match 25-19 to end their Bulgarian opponents’ hopes of reaching the semi-final, while also confirming the reigning Olympic champions Russia’s progression.

France looked to send a message to their rivals as they continued to dominate the encounter to seal a 25-19, 25-20, 25-15 victory.

The French team were able to watch the Pool A clash between Germany and Poland, with the knowledge they would face the losers in the semi-final.

However, they were made to wait until the outcome of a five-set epic to discover they would face Poland, as Germany eventually sealed a 21-25, 25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 15-10 win to set up a tie against Russia.

Meanwhile, in a clash of the two eliminated teams in Pool B, Serbia were also to earn a 25-18, 21-25, 25-21, 25-21 victory over Belgium.

In the African men’s qualification in Brazzaville, hosts Congo suffered a 25-16, 21-15, 25-27, 25-16 defeat to Egypt, with the result putting them out of the competition.

Egypt and Tunisia have therefore qualified from Pool A and will meet to decide top spot tomorrow.

The Democratic Republic of Congo kept their semi-final hopes alive in Pool B by beating Nigeria 21-25, 26-24, 28-26, 25-14, to move level with Cameroon.

It followed Cameroon's 25-17, 25-13, 25-16 loss to an Algerian side, who now lie top of the pool with two victories.

Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo are due to meet tomorrow, while Cameroon's will hope to reach the semi-finals should they beat Nigeria.