Despite missing their top scorer Italy pulled off the biggest shocker of the U18 European Championship Men by knocking off hosts Poland 70-52 to reach the semi-finals.
Matteo Imbro collected 17 points, five rebounds and five assists while Diego Maldini scored 16 points and Matteo Chillo hit for 14 points as Italy return to the last four at the U18 level for the first time since winning bronze in 2005.
Italy forced 23 Poland turnovers and held them to 2-18 from three-point range while committing only 11 turnovers in the game.
Poland were led by 14 points and 10 rebounds from Przemyslaw Karnowski and Mateusz Ponitka scored 11 points in a losing effort. Poland once again failed to reach the semifinals, having reached the quarters in 2010 and 2002 while finishing sixth in 1964, 1970, 1974 and 1976,
Italy were playing without their leading scorer Amedeo Della Valle, who injured his back when he landed following a dunk in the final Qualifying Round game on Thursday.