Britain's women fencers were beaten 42-14 by title favourites Italy in the quarter-finals of the fencing team foil at the ExCeL.
Natalia Sheppard, Sophie Troiano and Anna Bentley had beaten Egypt 45-34 to set up the clash with the three medallists in the individual competition.
The gulf in class was evident as Elisa Di Francisca, Arianna Errigo and Valentina Vezzali - gold, silver and bronze respectively last Saturday - eased through.