Dutch upset Italy in water polo

The Dutch team celebrate their victory over Italy

The Netherlands upset defending champions Italy in the quarter-finals of the Olympic women's water polo with a 13-11 triumph on penalty shots.

Erzsebet Valkai's first missed penalty shot in three years with the Italian team came at the worst possible time.

The Dutch will face Hungary in the semi-finals on Tuesday. The Hungarians won their earlier meeting 11-9.

Australia and the United States, the top two teams in the world rankings, will meet in the other semi-final.

The Aussies overcame countless mistakes to edge hosts China 12-11 on Sunday.

"We survived and we're going to beat America next," said coach Greg McFadden.

However, the Australians have not beat the US in a major water polo event for eight years.

The Americans have won the last five meetings in Olympic, World Cup and World Championship competition by a combined 14 goals.

Australia's last victory came in the goal-medal match at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, when the Aussies scored a disputed goal with 1.3 seconds left to win 4-3.