🇨🇠SWISS EPEEISTS STRIKE AGAIN WITH GOLD IN FUJAIRAH
Updated: Aug 5
FUJAIRAH, UAE - 11 JANUARY 2026
The Swiss Men’s Epee team confirmed their status as the world’s most in-form squad, capturing their second consecutive World Cup gold medal of the season in Fujairah. The fourth-seeded team of Alexis Bayard, Ian Hauri, Jonathan Fuhrimann, and Lucas Malcotti followed up their victory at the season opener in Vancouver with another dominant performance, defeating Italy 45-32 in the final.
Italy claimed the silver medal, securing their first team podium of the campaign. The Netherlands also made a major statement by taking the bronze—their first podium finish of the season—while Ukraine recorded their best result of the year, finishing in fourth place.
Path to the Podium
Switzerland’s road to the gold was a display of tactical consistency. After navigating a tight 34-33 encounter with the Czech Republic in the round of 16, they comfortably dispatched Egypt 45-33. In the semi-finals, they overcame eighth-seeded Ukraine 40-32, using a strong middle third (outscoring UKR 14-7) to break the match open. The final was a showcase of Swiss dominance; they led Italy 16-8 after the first three legs and never looked back, eventually cruising to a 45-32 victory.
Italy (Mencarelli, Buzzacchino, Galassi, and Di Veroli) reached the gold medal match following a massive 45-38 quarter-final upset of the number three seeds, France. They secured their place in the final by defeating the Netherlands 45-27, with a dominant final third ensuring their first podium appearance of 2026.
The Netherlands (Roubailo, T. Tulen, R. Tulen, and Van Nunen) emerged as the tournament’s "giant-killers". Seeded 10th, they produced the shock of the day in the quarter-finals by dismantling the world number two team, Hungary, 45-27. After falling to Italy in the semi-finals, the Dutch clinched the bronze in a thrilling 42-40 play-off against Ukraine. The match remained on a knife-edge throughout, with the Netherlands holding a slim 26-25 lead after six bouts before holding their nerve in the final leg.
Ukraine (Makiienko, Opanasenko, Stankevych, and Svichkar) reached the final four as the eighth seeds. Their path included a dramatic 45-44 quarter-final victory over Denmark, who had previously caused a sensation by knocking out the top-seeded Japanese team in the round of 16.
