Germany edge China to reach men's foil final at Shanghai GP

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, March 07, 2004

Germany edge China to reach men's foil final at Shanghai GP

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Third-ranked Germany spoiled the regathering of "China's Three Musketeers" -- Wang Haibin, Ye Chongand Dong Zhaozhi as it defeated China 45-43 in the semi-final of the FIE Grand Prix men's foil team event in Shanghai on Saturday.

The host had been leading before the last two assaults, but the35-year-old Ye, eldest of the three, surrendered China's edge overGermany, finishing the penultimate assault 38-40. Wang fought back to 43-44 from a 40-44 deficit, but failed to make a successful rally with the last parry.

Germany, led by second-ranked Peter Joppich, 21, the individualwinner of last year's world fencing championships in Cuba, 7th-ranked Andre Wessels, 22, and Ralf Bissdorf, will clash in the final with Russia, who crushed reigning Olympic champion France 45-34 in the other semi-final after ousting top-ranked Italy 45-33.

"It's a wonderful tone to beat China for the second time," saidGermany's head coach Jochen Behr. "Last year, also here in the chilly Shanghai, we earned the first win over China, one of the best in the world."

Chinese head coach Guo Ying, however, was not upset with the defeat, saying "there's no surprise since Germany, China and France of the top four teams are all square while Italy leading the rankings with big edge".

"Our fencers were somehow fussy and a little bit tired," added Guo.

"It's no big deal (to be defeated in semis) since it's just a world cup which plays almost once a week," echoed Wang.

Wang, Ye and Dong steered China to a silver medal in the men's foil team event at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

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