Sylvia Nwakalor scored 27 points for Italy, but it was not enough as the Dutch came through to win 25-21, 26-28, 20-25,  25-21, 15-10.

The Netherlands are now up to fourth in the standings, so would reach the semi-finals as things stand.

"I'm really really happy that we won the tiebreak," Juliet Lohuis told Volleyball Word. 

"It was a hard fight. 

"I think Italy played pretty good - also their opposite was hard for us to control, but I'm really happy that we managed to win in the end."

The Dutch leapfrogged Japan after they lost in three sets to the United States, who remain unbeaten at the top of the pile.

Japan but up an admirable fight, with the closing score 25-23, 26-24, 25-20.

Brazil beat Germany in four sets and Turkey overcame Belgium in three as they maintained their places in the top three.

Olympic champions China beat the Dominican Republic, while South Korea record just their second win of the tournament by beating world champions Serbia 25-13, 23-25, 25-13, 25-23.

Lowly Thailand were soundly beaten by Poland in three sets and Russia felled Canada in another three-setter.