Official press release:
Women’s Team Foil
The Italian women’s foil team edged to a nervy victory over Russia to take the 2011 European Championship title with the lead changing hands four times. The Italians team led with Vezzali who surprisingly lost the opening match 5-0 to Korobeynikova and the Russians held on until the eighth bout. Di Francisca, the newly crowned women’s individual European Champion, clawed back a six hit deficit and took the lead going into the final match 40-38. Vezzali anchored the Italian team to victory but not before letting the Russians back in 42-41.
This was the match that everyone had been waiting for as these teams head the world rankings and there is a clear gap between them and the rest of the field. The crowd were kept entertained throughout as the Italians had to chase the match throughout. The bronze medal was taken by Germany who beat Hungary 45-38.
Italy dominated the foil events taking all four gold medals (men’s and women’s individual and team) and the silver and bronze in the men’s individual event and silver in the women’s individual event.
Men’s Team Epee
The French men’s epee team stormed to victory over Hungary to take the 2011 European Championship title leading right from the first fight. The Hungarian team fell three hits behind in the first relay and France managed to maintain the gap all the way through to the final period. Grumier, Luceney, Gustin and Borel all contributed to the 45-40 victory over the Hungarian team of Boczko, Imre, Redli and Somfai.
France’s progression to the gold medal match was straight forward as they overcame the Ukranian team (Medvedev, Nikishin, Herey and Karuchenko) 45-37 in the semis. Hungary made their way through to the final, beating the very strong Russian team (Avdeev, Sukhov, Khodos and Tikhomirov ) 45-42. In the Bronze medal match the Russian team went on to win after dominating right from the start against the Ukrainians and won 45-36 to secure the final medal of the event.
This win adds another title to their already impressive French Men’s Epee record. They have won every Olympic and World Championships gold medal in team epee since 2004.
Results:
Men's epee team:
1) France
2) Hungary
3) Russia
Women's foil team:
1) Italy
2) Russia
3) Germany
