The 14 teams remaining after the pool play competed in a four-round single-elimination bracket, with a bronze medal match between the semifinal losers.

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).

This eliminated Portugal; the United States and Italy faced off to determine their placing within the group.

Switzerland and the Soviet Union each defeated Lebanon, though in both cases the bouts were tied at 8–8 and touches received (in victories) were necessary to determine the match winner (Switzerland won 23 touches received to 26; the Soviet Union won 18 to 25).

Luxembourg and Great Britain each defeated Morocco, then faced off for place within the group.