News from British Fencing Veterans at the 2026 Veteran European Team Championships in Cognac, France.
From British Fencing Veterans:
Team: Karen Grant, Fiona Haldane, Jenny Morris, Marg Oniye and Denise Silk
The ladies started strongly winning their first poule match against Hungary with Denise Silk putting in a great performance in the last leg to win 45-38. The second match against Italy was a different story with a dominant display from the Italians who won 45-21. The final poule match against the Netherlands ended in victory for our ladies with Denise putting in another sterling shift mid-match to pull away from the Dutch.
GB went into the DE as fourth seeds and came up against fifth seeded Finland. Great fencing in every leg ensured the victory to Team GB, who then came up against Italy again in the semis. Italy then scythed their way to the final 45-22 and the GB ladies went on to fight for 3rd and 4th place against France. The GB team fenced strong and hard, but the French capitalised on a strong start and went on to win the bronze medal 45-36.
Congratulations to the GB GV WE Team on a very well-earned fourth place!
Team: Catherine Cassai, Emily Goodchild, Kate O’Connell, Rebecca Ragland, Donna Sibley
The team’s first poule match was against Finland. They started strong and stayed strong, winning 45-11 without breaking a sweat. The second match against Hungary, however was a different prospect, and the team was overpowered, with the final score 27-45.
Seeded fifth, the team went into the DE round with a first round bye and then came up against France, seeded fourth. GB had a shaky start, rallied, but could never catch the French who won 45-19, leaving the girls to fence off for places 5-8.
The first match was Finland again, who were again dispatched without much ado 43-20. This left GB and Austria fighting for fifth place. The match was a nailbiter, with the lead constantly changing hands. Three incredible legs from Emily Goodchild led the team to the final victory – an edge-of-the-seat 43-42 on priority!
Congratulations WE V Team GB on a brilliant fifth place!
Team: Mo Mansoori, Marc Oakes, Steve Pope, Rubin Nash and Ceri Thomas
The first match against Austria was a tense affair as the lead swung to and fro, due largely to the Austrians’ star player Abedini. Despite a good lead to GB in the last leg, Abedini leapt into action and pulled out all the stops to pip Team GB to the post 45-44. A big disappointment, but the team were undaunted going into their next match against Germany. In this match, the Germans were just too strong and although the GB boys fenced hard, they lost 32-45. The final match against Finland allowed the team some time to find good form and they ground out a convincing win 45-34, putting them in the DE round seeded seventh.
The first DE was against Spain and the GB boys had no problem putting the Spaniards out 45-34 in a commanding display. In the last 8 match against France the team got off to a slow start but a great leg from Steve Pope (12-5) brought them back into contention. This effort wasn’t enough and the French won 45-33 leaving Team GB to fight for places 5-8.
Belgium were unable to withstand the power of the GB team who went though 45-28 to fight for 5th and 6th place against Poland. Mo Mansoori put in a great performance mid-match (10-4) to win back the lead, but the Poles showed their strength, pressing hard, and went on to win 45-40.
Well done GB Mens Sabre V on a very brave 6th place overall!
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