Italy have fenced their way to the gold medal in the final of the men's epee team event against the Ukraine. In a battle of weapons and wits the Italians took an early lead but by match 5 the score had equalized to 22-22 with some spectacular hits coming from both teams. Ukraine pulled back a 1 point lead by the end of match 6 but matches 7 and 8 saw an uncanny set of double hits, leading to scores of 35-35 right up to 40-40 by the end of match 8. The Ukraine held on with a spirited defence but Italy pulled just into the lead lunging their way to victory and a gold medal with a final score of 45-42.

To recap, the medallists today are:

Ladies' sabre:

Gold - Ukraine
Silver - Italy
Bronze - Russia

Mens' Epee:

Gold - Italy
Silver - Ukraine
Bronze - Hungary

Ukraine have beaten Italy to win the gold medal in the final of the ladies' sabre team event. While Italy started out in the lead with a score of 8-5 after the second match, Ukraine soon pulled ahead in match 3 and remained in the lead with some superbly delivered lunges. The gap widened after match 7 to Ukraine 35 Italy 24 but silver medallists Italy narrowed it again with some brilliant attacks in the 8th match to Ukraine 40 Italy 32. Ukraine fenced their way to victory with a final score of 45-35 and the gold medal.

Hungary are the winners of the bronze medal in today's mens' epee team event. Korea's admirable defence wasn't quite enough to prevent Hungary, who are seeded 11, having a comfortable lead in every match of the game, but the number 21 seeds Korea put up a very admirable performance with some spectacular lunging. By match 5 the score was Hungary 25 Korea 14 and Hungary stayed ahead to come out triumphant 45-35.

The ladies' sabre fight for 3rd place was won by Russia (seeded 6)in a clash of blades that had France (seeded 5) in the lead from the start. Russia were never more than 4 points behind France, but in the 7th match Russia suddenly pulled ahead with a score of 35-32. France recalimed a one point lead in match 8 but the final attack by Russia meant a bronze medal and a winning score of 45-42.

The Ukraine pulled off a spectacular victory against Hungary in their Mens' epee semi final game. The score for both teams climbed steadily and by the end of match 7 the score was Ukraine 31 Hungary 32. After no change in the score for match 8 the pace quickened in match 9 with some superbly delivered lunges bringing the score to 37-37 with 2 mins 10 secs to go. The Ukraine pulled ahead suddenly and clinched the victory with a final hit, winning 45-43.

Italy enjoyed a win by a considerable margin over Korea with a final score of 45-28.

Some very impressive bladework was seen during the mens' epee quarter final between Italy and France. It was a tense game with the scores equalising to 29-29 during match 7. Italy then pulled ahead in match 8 with a score of 35-31, but France were never far behind and closed the gap to Italy 40 France 39 with some exciting clashes during match 9. Italy however pulled further ahead again and won the game 45-41.

Korea and Germany enjoyed a close game towards the end of match 9 when the scores were 44-44. The match did not go to priority however and Korea scored the winning point.

Canada lost to Ukraine 24-20 in a more leisurely game while Hungary were victorious in their game with Russia coming out with a strong lead of 45-21.

Some very close matches in the mens' epee 16 event - France narrowly beat Switzerland 37-36, Italy just pulled ahead to beat Israel 45-42, Czech Republic lost to Korea 45-43 and Germany won their match against Finland in a close 44-43.
The USA lost to Hungary by a considerable margin in a score of 45-29 as did Britain who were beaten by the Ukraine 45-22. Russia enjoyed a victory over China scoring 45-36 and Canada had a close shave with Belarus but came out top 27-26.

France and Poland had a close start in the ladies' sabre quarter finals and the scores stayed close until they reached 20-20 by the start of the 5th match. France however pulled steadily ahead and won the event 45-37. Other scores in the quarter finals: Ukraine beat USA 45-37, China lost to Italy 45-36 and Russia were victorious in their game with Hungary also with a score of 45-37.

There was an exciting match between France and the Ukraine in the ladies' sabre semi-finals when the score was 42-42 in the 9th match. Ukraine clinched the victory at the last minute, coming out top with 45-42.

Also in the semi-finals Italy beat Russia by a considerable margin. In the 6th match Italy were ahead 29-13, and despite the Russian team gaining more points in the next two matches Italy remained steadily ahead and won the game 45-27.

More results for the ladies' sabre 16: Hungary beat Azerbaidjan 45-27, Russia enjoyed a strong victory over Spain 45-31, China beat Kazakhstan 45-37 and Italy were victorious in their match against Britain with a score of 45-19.

Good news for the Great British team though in the mens' epee 32 - the team lagged behind all the way through their match with Kazakhstan until the last match when Ben White pulled ahead to a nail-biting 44-44 score. Priority went to Kazahstan but Ben held his nerve to score the winning point.

There was a close match between China and Sweden with Sweden scoring hits in the last few seconds, pulling up their score. China held the lead though and won the match 38-36.

Some results for the ladies' sabre team event, which is down to the table of 16: Ukraine have beaten Islande (45-21), the USA team won their event against South Korea 45-38, France beat Hong Kong 45-37, and Poland came out top against Germany 45-38. The other 4 ladies sabre bouts are taking place right now - more results soon.

Welcome to the second day of team event - mens' epee and womens' sabre.
New Zealand, seeded 31, came out top when they fenced Costa Rica, seeded 34, in the first mens' epee round early this morning - well done the Kiwis!

Iran beat Azerbaidjan during the same event. The two countries are seeded 33 and 32 respectively.

Hungarians take sabre team title

Hungary won the men's team sabre gold beating Korea 45-36. They steadily built their lead although the Koreans clung to the hope that one big performance could bring them back into the reckoning. However the Magyars were not to be denied and individual silver medallist Szilagyi finished the match off in fine style.

USA win women's foil team gold

USA defeated Italy 45-40 in the women's foil team final. The match had a cautious start with the Italians holding a narrow lead through the first 5 fights but in the sixth Nicole Ross won 9-3 to put the Americans 29-25 up. Italy roared back to level at 31 all but Ross again opened up a big lead with another 9-3 win to take the score to 40-34 and cadet gold medallist Nzingha Prescod finished the match off to give the world junior title to the USA.

Women's foil - bronze to Russia

France took an early lead in the 3rd place play-off being 13-8 up after the 3rd fight but Russia clawed their way back into the match and took the lead at 24-23 after the 7th fight. Ivanova scored 6-1 in the 8th to make it 30-24 and the lead was maintained in the last fight for Russia to take bronze 38-32.

Men's sabre - Germany take bronze

Germany beat Spain 45-38 to win the 3rd place play-off in the men's sabre team event.

Women's foil semis - Italy and USA into final

Italy had to stage a big comeback against France to progress to the women's foil team final. Italy were trailing 22-10 at one stage but Volpi went into overdrive to take the lead at 24-23 by the end of the 5th fight. France hung on gamely but the Italians were on a roll and the top seeds eventually won 45-39.

In the other semi-final USA were always in control, being a 12 hit lead and although Russia pegged them back to some extent Prescod closed out with commendable efficiency to win the match for the Americans 45-34.

Women's Foil quarter-finals

Mostly routine stuff in the women's foil team quarters with the big guns progressing smoothly into the semis. Italy were comfortable winners against Korea 45-25 and Russia were always in control as they beat Japan 38-19 while USA beat Poland 45-22. Only France were given a decent workout as Egypt battled hard to stay in contention but eventually the French clinched the win 45-39. Semi-final line-up is Italy v. France and Russia v. USA.

Men's sabre teams - Hungary and Korea into final

Hungary dominated their semi-final against Germany and ran out comfortable winners 45-29.

Korea looked well in control against Spain early on but they let a 7 hit lead slip away as the match levelled at 40-40 before the last Korean steadied his nerves to take the match 45-42.

Germany and Spain will fight off for the bronze medal before the finalists take centre stage.

Women's foil teams last 16s

A very quick update because the men's sabre semi-finals are under way and the Ophardt results seem to be having a nap! Italy beat the Brits 45-20 and will face Korea in the last 8 after the Koreans out out Austria. France beat Ukraine and Egypt overcame Hungary to make a FRA v. EGY quarter-final. Russia thrashed Holland 45-22 and now take on Japan who beat China. Poland beat the Romanians and now have USA who made short work of the Czech Republic 45-13.

Men's sabre team quarter-finals

Hungary swept aside Canada 45-32 and will face Germany in the first semi-final of the men's sabre team event. The Germans edged a tense battle against Italy 45-43, a match that could have gone either way right up to the last hit. Korea knocked out USA 45-37 and their next opponents will be Spain who continued their giant-killing by knocking out 2nd seeds Ukraine 45-40. The Spaniards led 40-33 going into the last fight but a Ukrainian fightback meant a nervous but ultimately successful finish for the Spanish team who started the event as 10th seeds.