Saturday Wrap-Up (10/15/2005)

(See the Saturday preview.)

A long week of fencing has come to a close with a long day of fencing. The world has new champions in the Men's Foil and Women's Sabre Team events.

Men's Foil Team

Italy and France reached the finals without serious opposition from the other teams. Italy beat Hungary 45-25, Austria 45-27 in the level of 8, and Austria 45-27 in the round of four. France's scores were little closer, Portugal 45-30, Pland 42-34 in the level of 8, and China 45-31 in the round of four.

In the Bronze Medal Match, Germany played a tight strategic game, giving a lot of attention to shutting down Lianliang Zhang (#2 in individuals), and stepping into close distance to deprive the Chinese of their long attacks. The approach worked against Zhang, who dealt 11 touches but received 21, but didn't slow down Jun Zhu or Sheng Lei.

By mid-match, the Chinese were destroyed a German lead, and were ahead 21-17. Then Germany's Benjamin Kleibrink too the strip against Sheng Lei. In a 3-minute period, 27 points were given and received, with Kleibrink trying desperately to close the Chinese lead. The score moved by one point. It came down to Peter Joppich in the final round to drive the Germans ahead. After two Chinese touches, Joppich came alive, scoring an amazing 14 touches to Zhang's 5. Joppich brought Germany to the bronze medal, 45-40.

Women's Sabre Team

#7 USA had a slow start, and found itself in some difficult situations against Great Britain #10 (45-38). After another slow start against France #2, the USA finished 45-32. The Women's Sabre team finally fell into stride against Hungary #6, decimating them 45-27 despite a brilliant rally by Edina Csaba.

On the other side of the bracket, Russie #1 was having a straightforward path to the semifinal, taking out Venezuela 45-34, Russia 45-24, and then the strongly ranked Poland #4, 45-36.

In the final match against Russia #1, US fencer Rebecca Ward took an early lead in her match, and then passed it on to Mariel Zagunis, who widened it. There didn't seem to be anything the Russians could do to bring the score even. In the 8th round, Sophia Velikaia made a short 9-point rally against Rebecca Ward, but it didn't come soon enough to fire up the Russian Team.

The United States' first women's team sabre championship!