"Italy are a really dangerous team,” France’s Yacine Louati said after their match.
“We saw their match [against Japan], a tense one just like ours. They also led 2-0 and won their game in the tiebreak. They're not unbeatable, but they also play well. We're facing off against the crème de la crème."
Poland, who advanced to the semi-finals after defeating Slovenia 3-1, will face the United States, who defeated Brazil 3-1 in the final match of the day as legendary US athletes Tom Brady and Serena Williams watched from the stands.
A fan of France reacts during the men's quarter-final match against Germany on day ten of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at South Paris Arena on 5 August 2024.
In what could be regarded as one of the greatest comebacks of Paris 2024 thus far, the Italians saved their Olympic journey from coming to an end after rallying from a 2-0 deficit to beat Japan 3-2.
It shouldn't come as a surprise to many, though, as they were the only team to have come out of pool play with all nine possible points, dominating Pool B to secure their spot in this quarter-final.
“It was distressing,” Italy’s Simone Giannelli admitted, “[they are] one of the best teams in the world.”
After taking Italy 25-20 in the first set to establish an early lead, Japan's momentum only accelerated as they scored the last four points of the second set, making it look like they might just pull off a 3-0 win to advance to the semis.
On the brink of having their Olympic dreams crushed, Italy did not lose faith, using the energy from the crowd to take Japan 27-25 in the third set, 26-24 in the fourth and finally 17-15 in the fifth for the win. The stadium erupted.
“[It’s] incredible. The match was almost finished and we managed to mount a comeback, and I don’t even know how,” said Italy’s Yuri Romano.
“I don’t have much to say because there were so many emotions, in the third set, in every game, so [I have] a mix of incredible feelings now. Being in the semi-finals is what counts most."
Yuji Nishida of Japan attacks the net during their men's quarter-final match against Italy at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at South Paris Arena on 5 August 2024.
In distress in front of a home crowd at the South Paris Arena, host nation France found itself down 2-0 to Germany after the second set before coming back to beat Germany 25-20 in the third like it was their plan all along.
As the energy of the crowd picked up, so did the momentum of the French team.
Holding the lead for most of the fourth set, France went on to keep themselves in game with another set win, this time 25-21.
With only one team progressing to the semi-finals, the French players sealed the deal with a third straight win by a 15-13 score.
Largely to thank for the comeback was French veterans Earvin Ngapeth and Trevor Clevenot, who posted a combined 41 points across the five sets.
"Tough, tough, game. We had to believe until the end. It is a big success for us to be in the semi-final, but now we want more," said French captain Benjamin Toniutti.
Poland beat Slovenia, 3-1
Italy beat Japan, 3-2
France beat Germany, 3-2
USA beat Brazil, 3-1
All times local to Paris, France CET:
09:00 Women's quarterfinals: 's Republic of China vs. Türkiye
