After two straight victories over the Netherlands in Holland last weekend, the Italians are looking forward to another two-game series against the Orangemen on home soil this weekend.

Italy needed to win both games in Round 3 to stand any realistic chance of advancing to the 2009 FIVB World League Final Six in Belgrade next month.

In Mantova and Modena, Andrea Anastasi's team will be looking to pull off another pair of wins to take a step closer to the Final Round, with the Dutch currently 3 points ahead of them and leaders USA 6 points clear.

While Dragan Travica and Michal Lasko had strong outings for Italy last weekend, it was a different approach and better psychological attitude that truly lifted the Azzuri to victory. The Italians were mentally, defensively and offensively better than they had been so far at the tournament.

With 8 points up for grabs this weekend, both teams will be looking to finish Round 4 in second place, if not first should the USA drop both its games to last-place China.

Italian captain Valerio Vermiglio rejoins his team in Mantova, and will play the last four away matches in pool play against the United States and China.