The Italians, three-time winners in all, were beaten by Switzerland's Nico Beeler and Marco Krattiger in three sets in Utrecht.

Lupi and Nicolai went in front but the Swiss duo won 16-21, 21-18, 15-9.

It means the holders have one win and one defeat with one group match to go, with the Swiss team on two wins.

"I enjoyed so much playing here tonight," said Krattiger. 

"At one point in the second set the crowd was going crazy and I just wanted them to be louder and louder. 

"We played some very nice rallies, we won some very nice rallies. 

"It maybe gave us another ten per cent which helped us win this match."

There was also Dutch joy today in The Hague as Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen of The Netherlands beat Dries Koekelkoren and Tom van Walle of Belgium 21-16, 21-12.

It has given them a second win from two in Pool B.

In women's competition, home Dutch players Sophie van Gestel and Marloes Wesselink finished third in Pool D to ensure they advance to the round-of-24 stage.

The wildcards beat Finalnd's Taru Lahti-Liukkonen and Anniina Parkkinen, 19-21, 21-19, 15-11.

Switzerland's Nina Betschart and Tanja Hüberli completed a 100 per cent record in Pool E to go straight through to the last 16.

They beat Katharina Schützenhöfer and Lena Plesiutschnig of Austria, 21-23, 21-16, 15-8.

Competition continues tomorrow.