The men's team foil was one of eight fencing events on the fencing at the 1960 Summer Olympics programme. It was the tenth appearance of the event. The competition was held on 2 September 1960. 77 fencers from 16 nations competed.[1]
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 18 teams entered in the competition divided into 6 pools of 3 teams. The top 2 teams in each pool after a round-robin advanced. Sweden and Spain did not start, leaving 2 of the pools with only 2 teams. The 12 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 4 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. Bouts were to 5 touches. Only as much fencing was done as was necessary to determine pool placement (in the first round) or the winning team (in the knockout rounds), so not all matches went to the full 16 bouts but instead stopped early (typically when one team had 9 bouts won).[2]
Luxembourg defeated Australia, as did France. This eliminated Australia; Luxembourg and France faced off to determine their placing within the group. Luxembourg took first in the group with a win over France.
Sweden was entered in this pool but did not start. Both Hungary and the United Arab Republic were guaranteed advancement; they faced each other to determine placing. Hungary were the winners.
Spain was entered in this pool but did not start. Both Italy and Romania were guaranteed advancement; they faced off to determine placing. Italy prevailed.
Belgium defeated Japan, followed by the Soviet Union also defeating Japan. This eliminated Japan; Belgium and the Soviet Union faced off to determine placing. The Soviets won.
Poland defeated Morocco, followed by the United States defeating Morocco. The United States then defeated Poland to determine placement within the group.
Germany and France tied on both bouts and touches received, so a one-bout fence-off was conducted. Germany's Gerresheim defeated France's d'Oriola, 5–0.
