Having been promoted in 2014, the English team had not been expected to reach the latter stages of the tournament, but impressed during the group stage of the competition.

They had been comfortably beaten 3-0 by France in their group encounter, however their team was buoyed by a dramatic 3-2 win over Poland in the first knock-out round.

Their hopes took an early blow after Paul Drinkhall fell to a 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 defeat to France’s Simon Gauzy in the opening tie.

Liam Pitchford responded superbly by overcoming Emmanuel Lebesson 11-8, 11-6, 11-9 to briefly level proceedings, but Tristan Flore put France on the verge of the semi-finals by defeating Sam Walker 11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 11-7.

With the prospect of elimination looming large, Pitchford rose his game as he defeated Gauzy 12-10, 19-21, 11-9, 11-9.

A thrilling deciding contest between Drinkhall and Lebesson was eventually claimed by the English player after five match points, as he eventually triumphed 15-13, 8-11, 9-11, 11-9, 13-11.

England will now face the challenge of second seeds Japan, after they secured a 3-1 victory over Hong Kong in their quarter-final.

The second semi-final will feature South Korea, after they impressively ended the run of Portugal by triumphing 3-1, with Joo Saehyuk winning both of his singles matches.

South Korea, though, will begin as the clear underdogs when they meet defending champions China, who cruised past Sweden 3-0.

China’s women’s team were able to rest after securing their semi-final space yesterday by beating The Netherlands, but could watch their potential semi-finals opponents in action.

Ultimately Chinese Taipei secured a 3-2 victory over Hong Kong, with the result seeing them set up a date with the defending champions.

The winners of the semi-final clash will meet Japan in the gold medal match, after they sealed a 3-1 win over South Korea.