This feels like a big four of Errigo, Kiefer, Thibus and Volpi. Fencing is not necessarily an event where the favourites prevail.

Netherlands have dominated, winning three of the last four, losing the other by penalty shootout and winning the last three World Cups.

United States have won medals at every edition of this event since 2000 and they have a strong hand.

Perhaps their own challenge is against history and the legacy that this team creates moving forward. 

This feels destined to be a France v Denmark final. It has been at the last two Olympics. However, they are playing in the same group

France will line up with strong chances here in the form of the last two world champions. Dorian Coninx (France) won the title in 2023.

Carissa Moore (United States) is already in the hall of fame and will be looking to add to her Tokyo Olympic title.

This event is probably the most open edition of it so far without the usual Russian favourite.

This does feel like quite an open tournament. Overall I do think Italy and Spain have been the strongest.

They have also recruited Antoine Dupont, a former world rugby player of the year and early signs suggest he will be just as good at sevens.

France arguably has the greatest talent pool in the sport at the moment though and if a strong squad is picked will no doubt challenge

France is the reigning Olympic champions and will be buoyed by home support. They’ve also won the 2022 and 2024 Nations League

This is perhaps more in question than any time in recent history as some of the best players in the world are from other countries.

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There, they came up against China who had overcome Brazil, winning 3-2 in the shock of the tournament.

New Zealand turned it on in the semi-final, with Portia Woodman scoring a hat trick to help beat Great Britain 25-7

Brazil could not continue the hot streak and were knocked out in the quarter finals by Netherlands. The other ties went to form