Los Pinos grounds, in Sotogrande, saw an exciting day of finals on Saturday August 27, a couple of nailbiting contests that had the spectators in awe and were just decided in the last minutes of play. In the day’s main game, played on ground 3, Dubai were victorious in the Globant High Goal Gold Cup, following a fantastic 12-9 victory over Marqués de Riscal. It was the second title for Rashid Al Albwardy’s team, since they previously won the Terralpa Silver Cup two weeks ago.
Title holders, Marqués de Riscal got off to a better start, claiming an early 2-1 lead in the first chukka. But from the second chukka onwards, the match would belong to Dubai, who not only took the lead but also dominated the scoreboard. But Marqués de Riscal didn’t give up that easily; they were three goals behind by half time and managed to get back in the game in the fourth chukka.
Luis Aznar’s and Co. fought hard to close the gap several times, until they reached a 9-all in the sixth chukka, courtesy of a 60-yards penalty converted by Sapo Caset. However, one thing was for sure – thoroghout these weeks in Sotogrande, when going head-to-head, Dubai demonstrated to be fierce enough and dominating. And the final was no exception.
Despite Camilo Castagnola – perhaps the best player of the season – was not as decisive as he was in previous matches, he was very well supported by his team mates, both in attack and defense. But Camilo, Dubai’s flagship man, was crucial in assistance, a role that fitted him to perfection and helped Matt Perry to produce three unanswered goals to secure Dubai the coveted title.
In the meantime, Estancia Lamar, who were unable to display their best polo during the low goal Bronze Cup and Silver Cup, had their rematch in the Globant Gold Cup. They were victorious in a remarkable final against San Leonardo, after a very close match that Estancia Lamar won in extra chukka by a tight 12-11.
The finals of the Globant Gold Cup were followed by the awards presentation, that featured significant personalities in attendance:Luis Ureta, Globant España General Country Manager; Patricia Pomies, Globant Chief Operating Officer; Federico Pienovi, Globant Chief Business Officer EMEA; Globant Venture’s Carolina Beresford; Rita Jordao, La Reserva Marketing Director; Antonio Sanz Cabello, Adviser to Presidency; Backhander’s Fernando Sirimarco; Juan Manuel Ordoñez, Major of San Roque; José María Garrido, representative of COVAP; and authorities of the Junta de Andalucía.
The 5st. International Polo Tournament Sotogrande was hosted by Ayala Polo Club.
51sr. INTERNATIONAL POLO TOURNAMENT SOTOGRANDE – THE WINNERS:
GLOBANT GOLD CUP
HIGH GOAL: DUBAI
MEDIUM GOAL: AYALA
LOW GOAL: ESTANCIA LAMAR
TERRALPA SILVER CUP
HIGH GOAL: DUBAI
MEDIUM GOAL: JOLLY ROGER
LOW GOAL: COTTON HOUSE
VOLVO BRONZE CUP
HIGH GOAL: SAINTE MESME
MEDIUM GOAL: AYALA
LOW GOAL: COTTON HOUSE
HIGH AND MEDIUM GOAL MATCHES WILL BE STREAMED LIVE WORLDWIDE AND FREE OF CHARGE ON POLOLINE TV.
Saturday August 27, the summary:
HIGH GOAL
GLOBANT GOLD CUP: DUBAI 12-9 MARQUÉS DE RISCAL
DUBAI: Camilo Castagnola 9 (5 goals), Rashid Albwardy 1, Matt Perry 5 (5), Carlos María Ulloa 5 (2). Total: 20.
MARQUES DE RISCAL: Luis Aznar 0, Louis Hine 4 (1 goal), Guillermo Caset 9 (6), Santiago Cernadas 7 (2). Total: 20.
Umpires: Gastón Lucero & Guillermo Villanueva. Third man: Peter Wright.
Score Dubai: 1-2, 4-3, 7-4, 8-6, 9-7, 12-9.
Globant MVP: Matt Perry.
Backhander MVP: Matt Perry.
BPP: Alazanas Soñada, ridden by Camilo Castagnola.
Best Polo Argentino Bred, awarded by the Polo Pony Breeders Assn.: Antu Walung Torta Frita, ridden by Guillermo Caset.
Globant’s Team Player Award: Luis Aznar.
COVAP Award: Luis Aznar.
LOW GOAL
FINAL GLOBANT GOLD CUP: ESTANCIA LAMAR 12-11 SAN LEONARDO
ESTANCIA LAMAR: Rayyan Al Ajaji 0, Manuel López 2, Estanislao Grahn 3, Juan Guerrero 3. Total: 8.
SAN LEONARDO: Cristóbal Méndez de Vigo 0, Pascual Álvarez 1, Benjamín Araya (h) 5, Juan Torroba 2. Total: 8.
Umpires: Santos Anca & Martín Goti. Third man: Gonzalo López Vargas.
Score Estancia Lamar: 1-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9-9, 11-11, 12-11.
MVP: Juan Guerrero.
BPP: Alazanas Golondrina, ridden by Juan Guerrero.
Globant’s Team Player Award: Pascual Álvarez.
FINAL CLINIQUE LA PRAIRIE CUP: SANTA CRUZ 10-6 ESSSO
SANTA CRUZ: Michael Klein 0, Pedro Beca 2, Manuel García Grossi 4, Gaetan Charloux 2. Total: 8.
ESSSO: Consuelo Charloux -1, Guy Charloux -1, Patricio Neves 5, Cristian Bernal 4. Total: 8.
Umpire: Gonzalo López Vargas.