Ukraine’s Igor Chervynskiy led at the end of the first leg in 17:16.7 followed by Hungarian woman Raka Rohacz and Portugal’s Mafalda Rosa.

Hector Pardoe guided Britain into the lead at halfway ahead of Bruce Almeida of Brazil followed by China and Portugal.

However, Domenico Acerenza came through the field to guide Italy into the lead on the third leg with the European team relay champion in a duel with David Betlehem of Hungary

Gregorio Paltrinieri, the Olympic 10k bronze medallist, led going into the final 1500m with Kristof Rasovszky, who was second in Tokyo, on his heels.

Paltrinieri’s split of 15:49.1 was the fastest of the teams as he went 3.2 seconds faster than Rasovszky who doggedly challenged him in the final lap.

The Italian  touched first in 1:06.49.1, 2.6secs ahead of Hungary (1:06.51.7) with Germany almost 40secs adrift of the winners in 1:07.29.

Paltrinieri said:

“It was a tough race. Since Tokyo, I have been focusing on pool training, mostly on the 1500m.

“Today was a race in the sea but it was also a 1500m race so I decided to swim the relay.

“Relays are always fun. I won’t be swimming the 10km tomorrow. I battled with Kristof for the last 200m and he was trying to stay close to me. After the last bouy I gave it everything I had and he wasn’t able to pass me.”

Rasovszky added:

“It was a fine race. Too bad that the others did their best to set up a fantastic finish between Gregorio and me but I spoiled the party.

“Seriously, it was a great duel with Gregorio, he has definitely a better speed for a 1500m free, I tried to go with him and launch an attack at the finish but he could also switch gears and apply the same tactics as I had done against him in Tokyo, shutting down the paths on both ends.

“On one of his kicks, I swallowed a great deal of saltwater and that didn’t help me for the last 200m. In the end, it was great, we achieved what we wanted, we are on the podium, and can’t wait for the 10km now.”

Wellbrock, who won 10k gold in Tokyo, said:

“All in all it was a good race. It’s not just about me, it’s a team effort, we did our best, good for the bronze now.

“Reaching the podium is always great, especially when you have Hungary and Italy in the race, they are all outstanding swimmers.

“Now I’m getting ready for the 10km, we won’t have Gregorio in that event, perhaps that makes things just a bit easier but it’s going to be a big race anyway.”