LONDON (AP) — If the American men’s saber team is to match its 2008 silver-medal achievement at the London Olympics, it first has to overcome top-seeded Russia in the quarterfinals on Friday.
The United States will rely on the experience of Timothy Morehouse and James Williams, the two fencers from the Beijing Games who are still on the team.
The United States won six medals in total at fencing four years ago. With three events remaining, the quest for a first piece of silverware in London is still going on.
Two-time defending champion France is not competing in the team event as Bolade Apithy was the only French saber fencer to qualify for the Olympics.
With Russia regarded a strong candidates for gold, 2008 bronze medalist Italy and Germany will be looking to rebound from some disappointing results in the individual saber competition Sunday.
Germany’s top-ranked fencer Nicolas Limbach suffered an early defeat at the hands of Russia’s Nikolay Kovalev. He will lead the German team that takes on South Korea.
World and former Olympic champion Aldo Montano lost 15-13 to Italian teammate Diego Occhiuzzi, who went on to win silver. Italy will meet Belarus in the quarterfinals.
China and Romania complete the eight-nation field for the saber team event.
