Hosts Italy took on the United States in Milan in front of 11,500 fans at the Mediolanum Forum.

They thrilled the crowd with a 25-23, 25-22, 25-20 win, securing their fifth straight victory of the Championship.

The Italians came back from behind late on in two of those sets to seal the deal.

"I still can't believe it's real," said Italy coach Marco Bonitta.

"I am really surprised about the result of the match.

"I had small hopes of beating such a strong team like USA, but my girls were fantastic.

"I am really proud of what they did tonight."

Brazil are looking to go one better than they did in 2006 and 2010, when they lost in the final on both occasions to Russia ©Getty Images for FIVB



In the other match in Milan, top-ranked Brazil beat number fifth-ranked China 25-19, 25-16, 25-15 to edge towards the semi-finals.

Brazil, runners-up in 2006 and 2010 - losing both times to Russia in the final - converted 53.9 per cent of their attacks.

The top two teams in Brazil's Pool H and Italy's Pool G after three days of round robin matches, will advance to the last four.

Tomorrow sees China aim to avenge their defeat as they face Dominican Republic, with the United States looking to do the same against defending champions Russia.