Spain's Pau Gasol (centre) is the tournament's top scorer

Spain, who are unbeaten, will play Italy in the last four on Saturday.

Italy, who finished next to last in their first-round group and then upset Germany in an elimination game, edged out Greece 62-59 in the last quarter-final.

Israel's Derrick Sharp hit a three-pointer midway through the last quarter to cut Spain's lead to four points at 61-57.

But Gasol, who scored just eight points in the first half, then took complete command.

Gasol, the tournament's top scorer who averaged 26.7 points in the first three games, finished with 25 points.

"It's always difficult to play against Israel because they fight and fight, can shoot three-pointers and penetrate," said Gasol, last year's NBA rookie of the year.

"The key was that to keep calm until the second half."

Spanish coach Moncho Lopez was cautiously optimistic ahead of the semi-finals.

"We managed to win today, but the semi-final is a new game," he said. "In the beginning we had some problems with our nerves, but it got better before half-time. That was important."

Italy were also made to wait until the fourth quarter before they too control of their quarter-final match.

Matteo Soragna gave Italy the lead when he made it 54-52 on a lay-up after a fast break early.

Trailing 60-56, Dimosthenis Ntikoudis gave Greece hope when he hit a three-pointer with less than seven seconds left but Soragna then made two free throws.

In the other semi, France face Lithuania.

The three top teams in the European Championships qualify for next year's Olympic tournament in Athens.

Olympic hosts Greece and defending champions Serbia and Montenegro earned automatic berths.