France takes Qatar Grand Prix 2008 team title

DOHA, January 20, 2008 (Afzal Mehmood Shaikh): 2004 Athens Olympic Games gold medalists, France showed their epee fencing skills in the Qatar International Fencing Championship – Grand Prix 2008 by beating Hungary 45-31 in the team final on Sunday at the Aspire Academy.

It was more of a repeat of the Athens final, where France got the better of Hungary 43-32 to claim gold, four years ago.

"It is always hard playing in the final, we have met them (Hungary) often and we know eachothers game very well, it was crucial to take a healthy lead in the start, that made the work much easier at the end," said Fabrice Jeannet one of the team members, Fabrice was also the member of France team at the Athens Olympics.

Speaking about the toughest competitors in Qatar team event Jeannet said, "It was difficult playing against USA, they started well and took good lead, but our team bounced back just in time to level the scores and then eventually take a lead to beat them with a narrow 45-42 win."

The France team having won gold medal in Qatar and the crucial 64 points, got off to a promising season campaigner for the Beijing Olympic Games 2008.

"This is ofcourse excellent preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, we still need to pick our perfect combination for the Olympic Games, which will be decided after our participating in the other Grand Prix in Kuwait, Sweden, Italy and Montreal before the Olympic Games," explained the jubilant 47-year-old France Coach – Riboud Stephane.

Italy finished third after beating Ukraine 41-32, hosts Qatar settled at 23rd place ahead of Uzbekistan and Bahrain.

The Qataris lost to USA 45-26 in their first round.

HE Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani – President of Qatar Fencing Federation (QFF) and Secretary General of Qatar Olympic Committee handed over the medals and prizemoney to the runners-up (Hungary), while Rene Roch – President of Federation Internationale D'Escrime (FIE) honoured the triumphant Frenchmen.