The epee appeared to be "German" type of weapon in Plovdiv: the day before Britta Heidemann celebrated the victory in this discipline. Sven Schmid hadn’t achieved big victories earlier. His only gold had been won at the World Cadet Championships in far 1995. But now it seems like the “second breath” came to the 31-year-old epeeist: before the beginning of the tournament he was on the fourth place in FIE ranking, having won tournaments in Lisbon and Stockholm.

In Plovdiv Schmid had to pass through some difficult fights. In duels with Max Heinzer (Switzerland), Bogdan Nikishin (Ukraine) and Gauthier Grumier (France) the German was only one touche better. But in the final with another Frenchman, Ulrich Robeiri, Schmid’s advantage was more evident – 15:7.

In women’s individual sabre final met Olga Kharlan (Ukraine) and Ekaterina Diatchenko (Russia). On the way to the decisive meeting they gave no chance to doubt in their superiority. Diatchenko's series was especially impressive – 15:4, 15:4, 15:3 – and only Frenchwoman Solenne Mary in the semi-final could show any resistance – 15:11.

However in the final 18-year-old Ukrainian sabre fencer appeared to be stronger – 15:10. By the way, despite of the early age, Kharlan has the experience of final duels in the European Championships. In 2006, when she was only 15, the Ukrainian won silver medal in Izmir (Turkey), being defeated by Sofia Velikaja (Russia) by only one touche – 14:15.

After the first half of the tournament national teams of Germany and Italy have by two golden medals each on their account; Russia and Ukraine - by one. It is interesting that fencers of Germany have won both epee disciplines, Italians have appeared to be strongest in foil, and representatives of former USSR, Russia and Ukraine, have divided "gold" in sabre.