France reclaims Men's Team Epee gold

France has claimed the gold medal in the final of Men's Team Epee at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 15, to add to its Athens 2004 gold medal success in this event.

France beat Poland comfortably to win 45- 29 in the play-off. The French team was in a lead from the beginning until the 6th bout with an impressive 35-20, which set the tone for the bout.

The French team is comprised of Jerome Jeannet, his brother Fabrice Jeannet who won the silver medal in the Individual event, and Ulrich Robeiri. Tomasz Motyka, Robert Andrzejuk, and Radoslaw Zawrotniak make up the Polish team.

"We actually did expect a medal, but we never thought it would be a silver one," said Tomasz Motyka of Poland.

"As for this final against France, they really fenced beautifully," the silver medalist added.

The bronze medal went to Italy when it defeated China with a 45-35 victory in the other bout.

"We feel very happy because this is a very young team. People may forget that four years ago we didn't even make qualifications for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Now we've won the bronze medal and I feel like we have a very bright future." said Italian competitor Alfredo Rota.

Courtesy : www.en.beijing2008.cn