With the top four teams going through from both six team groups, the Hungarians are almost there after two victories and a draw from their first three games.

Martin Szívós scored four times in their Group A victory over their European rivals today at the Polo Natatorio Bruno Bianchi in the Italian city.

Hungary won the Olympic gold three times in a row at Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

However, their run was ended last time out at London 2012 when they lost 11-9 to Italy in the quarter-finals.

The Italians would go on to win the silver medal after losing the final, 8-6 to Croatia.

The quarter-finals in Trieste will serve as winner-takes-all clashes for a place in Rio as all four semi-finalists will progress to the Brazilian city.

Elsewhere in Group A, Canada moved to the same record as Hungary as they beat last placed Slovakia 11-9.

France sit third after edging out fourth placed Russia 12-11, with Ugo Crousillat netting on four occasions.

Two more matches will be played in each group before the last eight line-up is decided.

In Group B, The Netherlands went through to the last eight by beating Germany 9-8, their third win out of three.

Spain are second after beating third-placed hosts Italy by the same scoreline, with both countries boasting records of won two and lost one.

Kazakhstan claimed a first success by beating winless South Africa 11-6.