Fencing: French épée fencers crowned European champions

The French women's épée fencing team has been crowned European champions, triumphing over Hungary with a 42-36 victory in the final held in Antony.

This win secures France's third gold medal of the European Championships and their first team épée title since the 2023 European Games in Krakow. The team, led by Marie Florence Candassamy, Alexandra Louis Marie, Diane Von Kerssenbrock, and Auriane Mallo-Breton, concluded a week that began without individual podiums on a high note.

Despite a strong start from the French team, Hungary's Eszter Muhari, who had previously defeated French fencers Diane Von Kerssenbrock and Alexandra Louis Marie in earlier rounds, put up a strong challenge. Muhari's performance in the fifth relay, where she outscored Marie-Florence Candassamy 10-1, shifted the momentum. However, the French team regrouped and regained the lead.

Auriane Mallo-Breton, returning to major championships after maternity leave, delivered the decisive touches to secure the victory for France. The men's foil team is set to compete against Italy in their final later, aiming to replicate the women's success.

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The Blues have taken the lead again. And it was Auriane Mallo-Breton, returning to the major championships after a maternity leave, who offered them victory.