France thrashed an overmatched Polish team by a score of 45 to 29 in the Men's Team Epee final. Brothers Jerome and Fabrice Jeannet celebrated their 2nd team gold in 2 Olympics as France also won the Gold medal in this event in 2004. Italy would take the Bold medal with a 45-35 victory over China.
Ukrainian phenom Olga Kharlan entered the history books by scoring the winning touch and earning the first gold medal awarded at the Olympics for women's team sabre. In front of an enthusiastic crowd, Kharlan, Olga Zhovnir and Olena Khormova fought back from an early deficit and defeated China's Tan Xue, Ni Hong, and Bao Yingying 45-44.
The United States Women's Fencing Team earned the bronze medal by defeating France 45-38. This is the second fencing medal in the 2008 Games for Mariel Zagunis (Portland, Ore.), Sada Jacobson (Dunwoody, Ga.) and Becca Ward (Portland Ore.) who swept the gold, silver and bronze medals in the individual contest, respectively.
Beijing’s Games III: The Psychology of the Team Game
The team event is the wild card in fencing. By history of the sport and temperament of the athletes, fencing is an individual sport. But the team event has taken on increasing importance in recent years. Team competition is critical to the success of the national teams. It is the only realistic way to put 3 fencers in the Olympic Games, and create 4 chances to win a medal.
Britta Heidemann added to Germany's medal count today as she joined fellow fencer Benjamin Kleibrink with a gold medal for fencing. Heidemann won the women's epee event by defeating #2 seed Ana Maria Branza (ROU) 15-11.
Benjamin Kleibrink entered the semi finals carrying the hopes of Germany for the gold medal. Earlier in the day the gold medal favorite and 3 time world champion Peter Joppich was eliminated by Kleibrink's foe, Japan's Yuki Ota. Kleibrink exited as the gold medal winner after defeating Ota 15-9 in the 2008 Olympic Men's Foil event.
Benjamin Kleibrink entered the semi finals carrying the hopes of Germany for the gold medal. Earlier in the day the gold medal favorite and 3 time world champion Peter Joppich was eliminated by Kleibrink's foe, Japan's Yuki Ota. Kleibrink exited as the gold medal winner after defeating Ota 15-9 in the 2008 Olympic Men's Foil event. 
