The women's team épée final was between two old and historic rivals. France were favourites because they were the hosts and had won medals at the same venue, the beautiful and renovated Grand Palais.

Italy came into the final with strong credentials, as the current world runners-up and bronze medallists at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, they were keen to maintain their lead in the all-time medals table, especially against their closest rivals, France.

In front of a raucous home crowd, the hosts and the Italians put in an excellent 52 minutes and 38 seconds of competition. The remarkable match went to sudden death overtime, where the visitors triumphed 30-29 to the dismay of the home fans.

Nevertheless, the French fencers made history with their performance on Tuesday, as they had not reached an Olympic final with this weapon since Atlanta in 1996. Marie-Florence Candassamy, Auriane Mallo-Breton, Coraline Vitalis and Alexandra Louis-Marie became Olympic runners-up for a home team that is aiming to win eight medals and surpass the record it set at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

Alberta Santuccio, Giulia Rizzi, Rossella Fiamingo and Mara Navarria were the outstanding performers for the Azzurre, who won their first Olympic gold in the women's team épée.

The French fencers finished runners-up in the team event on Tuesday, giving France its 18th medal since the start of the Paris Games.

The Polish team (Aleksandra Jarecka, Martyna Swatowska-Wenglarczyk, Renata Knapik-Miazga and Alicja Klasik) needed extra time to win the bronze medal 32-31 against China.

Fencing will continue on Wednesday with the men's team sabre quarter-finals starting at 13:30 CEST, with the host nation meeting Egypt, Italy meeting Hungary, Canada meeting South Korea and the USA meeting Iran. Depending on who wins, they will go on to the gold medal final at the Grand Palais at 20:30 CEST.