Australia's Sam McGregor nailed the final shot of the shootout after the game was locked at 10-10 at full-time and 13-13 after two periods of extra-time.
The shootout began with both teams missing their first attempts but scoring the next two.
Australian goalkeeper James Stanton then blocked the next shot by Leonardo Sottani and brought the crowd to their feet.
Australia's Robert Maitland and Italy's Luigi Di Costanzo converted and then McGregor scored the winner.
The match took unusual turns with both teams scoring four consecutive goals each before the next team would retaliate.
Italy began the game 2-0 with Australia fighting back to finish the first quarter 4-2 ahead. The second quarter was all Italy (5-1) but the third period Australia shut Italy out 4-0 to take the lead 9-7.
Italy's Alessandro Calcaterra was top-scorer with six goals, three from the final quarter to force the game into extra-time.
As the leading scorer with 22 goals, his skills will be needed in the 9-10 play-off on August 24.
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