The reigning world champions were staring defeat in the face when the French raced into a two-set advantage which moved them to the brink of victory in the Pool J1 clash.

Poland then halved the deficit, much to the delight of the partisan crowd inside the Tauron Arena, and drew level to send the intriguing match-up into a decider.

The lead continually changed hands throughout the fifth and final set before Poland were able to close out a memorable 21-15, 17-25, 25-17, 28-26, 15-12 triumph.

In Pool K1, Brazil got off to a flyer as they swept aside Italy with a comfortable 25-18, 25-20, 25-19 success.

The Brazilians, the double Olympic and three-time world champions, dominated from start to finish on their way to a comprehensive win.

Lucarelli of Brazil was the game's leading scorer as he was the architect of 14 points, including two superb aces in the first set, while Wallace and Mauricio chipped in with 12 and 11 respectively.

The result boosts their chances of reaching the semi-finals as the teams who finish in the top two in each group will progress to the last four.

"We are of course happy with the result: we competed and won with a strong team, but we cannot be too confident because there is a long way ahead of us," Brazil captain Bruno Rezende said.

"Italy did not play at the maximum of their skills and we need to remember that.

"At the Olympic Games we are in the same pool, we will need to be focused like today and do the same."

The Italians will have the opportunity to bounce back from the loss when they take on the United States, who have won three Olympic golds, tomorrow.

Hosts Poland are also in action as they are due to meet Serbia.