The Olympic men's epee team event slated for Friday is expected to favorite the teams of Hungary, France and Italy.

The world's top seed Hungary will field Gabor Boczko, Geza Imre, Ivan Kovacs and send Krisztian as substitue. Italy boasts Matteo Taliariol, Olympic champion in the individual event, and France has the silver medalist Fabrice Jeannet.

Nine teams will compete in the Friday event. They are Hungary, France, Italy, Poland, Ukraine, South Korea, Venezuela, China and South Africa.

The Chinese team groups Dong Guotao, Li Guojie, Wang Lei and Yin Lianchi.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2008)