Italy beat China 45-35 here Friday to pocket the bronze medal of men's epee team event of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Italy's Diego Confalonieri contributed 16 points to the team's victory, while Alfredo Rota, substitute Stefano Carozzo and champion of individual event Matteo Tagliariol scored 11, 6 and 12 points respectively.

China fielded in Yin Lianchi, Dong Guotao and Li Guojie. The three fencers respectively got 19, 9 and 7 points.

Coach of the Chinese team Xiao Jian said after the match that Dong Guotao was chosen to take the place of Wang Lei, silver medalist in Athens Games, as Wang was not in the best form after the semifinal bout.

"The young athletes have done very well in the competition. Although we didn't win a medal, it's still a historical breakthrough. I hope we can do better in the future," Wang said of his teammates.

The final bout of men's epee team slated for later Friday evening will be between France and Poland.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2008)