España claimed the XII FIP World Polo Championship following the final that was played on Sunday November 6 at the National Polo Center, in Wellington, United States. The Spaniards defeated United States by a narrow 11-10 in over time, with a goal produced by Pelayo Berazadi. The Spaniard lineup not only lifted the trophy for the first time ever but they are also the first European team to win the title. Meanwhile, the Bronze medal went to Uruguay, after defeating Argentina 9-7.5.
The XII FIP World Polo Championship saw eight countries up to 14 goals, in participation.
The summary of the finals:
FINAL XII FIP WORLD POLO CHAMPIONSHIP: SPAIN 11-10 UNITED STATES
SPAIN: Tuki Ruiz Guiñazú 4 (3 goles), Luis Domecq 3 (1), Pelayo Berazadi 5 (6), Nicolás Álvarez 2. Total: 14.
UNITED STATES: Hope Arellano 2 (1 gol), Agustin Arellano 3 (2), Lucas Escobar 4 (2), Nico Escobar 5 (5). Total: 14.
Score España: 2-1, 3-6, 7-8, 8-9, 10-10, 11-10.
Umpires: Steve Dalton & Steve Evans. Third man: Adrian Wade.
BPP: J5 Matilde. Player: Pelayo Berazadi.
THIRD PLACE MATCH: URUGUAY 9-7.5 ARGENTINA
URUGUAY: Gastón Magariños 1, Mauricio Sánchez 4, Ignacio Viana 5, Santiago Stirling 5. Total: 15.
ARGENTINA: Gonzalo Santamarina 4, Estanislao Abelenda 3, Bartolomé Bayugar 3, Santiago Buzzi 3. Total: 13.
Score Uruguay: (0-1.5) 3-2.5, 7-4.5, 9-6.5, 9-7.5.
Umpires: Adrian Wade & Kimo Huddleston. Third man:Hamish Bray.
BPP: J5 Dolche. Player: Santiago Stirling.
FIP WORLD POLO CHAMPIONSHIP – WINNERS
1987: Argentina. Venue: Argentina.
1989: Estados Unidos. Venue: Alemania.
1992: Argentina. Venue: Chile.
1995: Brazil. Venue: Suiza.
1998: Argentina. Venue: Estados Unidos.
2001: Brazil. Venue: Australia.
2004: Brazil. Venue: Francia.
2008: Chile. Venue: México.
2011: Argentina. Venue: Argentina.
2015: Chile. Venue: Chile.
2017: Argentina. Venue: Australia.
2022: España. Venue: Estados Unidos.
PHOTO CREDIT: David Lominska.