French Women’s Épée Team Wins European Championship in Front of Home Crowd

Antony – 21.06.2026: An electric atmosphere filled the sold-out arena of the Complexe Sportif Éric Tabarly in Antony on June 21, 2026, as the French women’s épée team faced Hungary in the final of the European Championships. The team comprised Auriane Mallo-Breton, Marie-Florence Candassamy, Alexandra Louis-Marie, and the newly added Diane Von Kerssenbrock.

Marie-Florence Candassamy opened the final with a strong performance, putting France ahead early with a 5:3 lead. Auriane Mallo-Breton extended the lead in the second bout to 10:6. However, the Hungarian fencers countered in the third bout, where Alexandra Louis-Marie fell behind 15:20. In the fourth bout, the Hungarians even pulled ahead to 35:30.

At this critical moment, Diane Von Kerssenbrock stepped onto the piste. Despite her relatively short time on the team, she showed great composure and a focused performance. With precise attacks and solid defense, she fought back point by point. Her final touch making it 42:36 turned the arena into rapturous celebration.

The fifth European championship title since 2017 underscores the consistent strength of French women’s épée fencing. Especially impressive was the victory on home soil in Antony, a city with a rich fencing tradition. This triumph provides the team with confidence for their upcoming participation in the World Championship, scheduled to take place in Hong Kong in a month.

The Hungarian team, multiple-time European champions in recent years, showed fighting spirit despite the defeat. Coach Katalin Kovács praised her team’s performance and called second place a respectable achievement. “Our fencers fought intensely and can be proud of their performance,” said Kovács.

For the French team, the victory was not only a sporting success but also an emotional highlight. Marie-Florence Candassamy emphasized the strong team spirit after the final: “We fought together and deserved this title.” Winning on the European level strengthens the team for the World Championship in Hong Kong.

The European Championships in Antony took place from June 16 to 21, 2026, with over 400 participants from more than 40 nations. Besides the épée competition, the French hosts claimed additional medal positions in other fencing events, solidifying their position as a leading fencing nation.

With a mix of experienced athletes and promising talents, the French women’s team looks optimistically to the future. The European Championship is considered a milestone and confirms that France ranks among the top nations in international fencing.