Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Swiss women cut through competition in fencing championships

Gianna Halblützel-Bürki checks her foil Keystone

The Swiss women's team has won the gold medal at the European fencing championships in Madeira. The four-member team narrowly beat world champions Hungary to take its first-ever European title.

The final came to a thrilling climax when Swiss fencer, Gianna Halblützel-Bürki, clinched the 45-44 win for her team just as her contest with Hajnalka Toth of Hungary moved into overtime.

The Swiss team – made up of Halblützel-Bürki, Diana Romagnoli, Sophie Lamon and Tabea Steffen – is now setting its sights on gold at the Sydney Olympics in two months’ time.

The biggest discovery in the Swiss team was 15-year-old Lamon who scored the highest individual points total.

On the way to the title, Switzerland beat the Netherlands, Ukraine, Germany and finally Hungary. Germany came third in the championships.

swissinfo with agencies

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR