„Squadra Azzurra" will meet Japan in the quarterfinals, while "Drużyna Polska" will face its "black cat" - Slovenia

In the big derby of the day in the men's volleyball tournament in Paris, Italy decisively prevailed over Poland with a 3:1 set victory (25:15, 25:18, 24:26, 25:20). In the first two parts, the volleyball players of "Squadra Azzurra" were complete masters of the court, winning them more than convincingly with 25:15 and 25:18 respectively. The many errors of "Drużyna Polska" on serve also contributed to this, but this should not diminish the strong form demonstrated, as well as the traditional class of the "Azzurri".

Yuri Romano was the top scorer in the match with 20 points (1 block and 4 aces)

In the third set, the game was even, with Poland ultimately managing to snatch the victory with a minimal lead – 26:24, despite the "white-and-reds" incurring a terrible 8 errors from the initial serve in that part.
The fourth set, which turned out to be the last in the match, again passed under the sign of "Squadra Azzurra". The Italians played the entire match calmly, deservedly celebrating the victory after 25:20 and 3:1 sets.

Gianluca Galassi recorded an impressive 6 block points

In this way, the "Azzurri" won unequivocally with three victories and 9 points, securing the first position in the "group of death", which also included their opponents today, Brazil and Egypt. Italy took first place in the overall men's ranking among all 12 teams, thus guaranteeing themselves a quarterfinal match against the likeable, but currently not particularly strong, team of Japan. The volleyball players from the "land of the rising sun" had a great summer in the Nations League, but at the Olympics they are performing inconsistently. Nevertheless, the Japanese achieved their first goal - to get out of the groups in Paris. Now the "matches of truth" are approaching, in which anything can happen - this match against the Asians will not be easy for Italy at all.

Poland, for its part, finished the group stage in second place in its group, but remained in 6th place in the overall standings. This means that in the quarterfinals, the Poles will meet their old acquaintance in the eliminations - the brave team of Slovenia. The Slovenians fully deservedly earned the title of "black cat" for "Drużyna Polska" - Poland has become a convenient opponent for the small Western Balkan country.

Although one more match from the group stage is yet to be played today in the men's tournament - the last one, the quarterfinal pairs are clear. This became a fact because in the late match, the teams of Serbia and Canada, which have already been eliminated from the fight for the eliminations, will face each other.

Here are all 4 quarterfinal matches of the men's Olympic volleyball tournament in Paris, with their positions in the overall standings listed before the country names:
1. Italy - 8. Japan
4. France - 5. Germany

The winners of these two matches will face each other in the first semifinal of the tournament*

2. USA - 7. Brazil
3. Slovenia - 6. Poland

The winners of these two matches will face each other in the second semifinal of the tournament*