Fencing at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Men's team épée
The men's team épée was one of eight fencing events on the fencing at the 1960 Summer Olympics programme. It was the eleventh appearance of the event. The competition was held on 9 September 1960. 105 fencers from 21 nations competed.
Competition format
The competition combined pool play with knockout rounds, a change from prior tournaments which used pool play all the way through. The first round consisted of pools, with the 21 teams entered in the competition divided into 7 pools of 3 teams. The top 2 teams in each pool after a round-robin advanced. The 14 teams remaining after the pool play competed in a four-round single-elimination bracket, with a bronze medal match between the semifinal losers. The winners of the first 2 pools received byes in the round of 16. Each team match consisted of each of the four fencers on one team facing each fencer on the other team, for a maximum of 16 total bouts. An 8–8 tie would be resolved by touches received in victories. Bouts were to 5 touches. Only as much fencing was done as was necessary to determine pool placement or the winning team, so not all matches went to the full 16 bouts but instead stopped early.
The United States defeated Portugal, as did Italy. This eliminated Portugal; the United States and Italy faced off to determine their placing within the group. Italy took first in the group with a win over the United States.
Pool B
Japan and Hungary each defeated Mexico, then faced off for place within the group. Hungary won to take first place and a bye in the round of 16.
Pool C
Switzerland and the Soviet Union each defeated Lebanon, though in both cases the bouts were tied at 8–8 and touches received were necessary to determine the match winner. Switzerland and the Soviet Union then faced off for place within the group, with the Soviets winning.
Pool D
Finland and France each defeated Ireland, then faced off for place within the group. France won to take first place.
Pool E
Luxembourg and Great Britain each defeated Morocco, then faced off for place within the group. Great Britain won to take first place.
Pool F
Sweden and Germany each defeated Australia, then faced off for place within the group. Germany won to take first place.
Pool G
Belgium and Poland each defeated Spain, then faced off for place within the group. They tied, 8–8 with 61 touches received each.
