Last Saturday, La Dolfina, led by Adolfo Cambiaso, gave a brilliant performance on Palermo’s number one ground. They still have one game left at Palermo, but La Dolfina have already claimed a crucial victory and have high chances of qualifying for the final of the Argentine Open and defending their eighth consecutive title at Palermo.

“It was a strange game, because we normally play against Ellerstina in a final,” Pelón Stirling told PoloLine. “There’s still one game left to play, but it felt like a final, because if we lost, that was it, so it was a very important game for us.”

“I think you always have to prove yourself on Palermo’s number one ground,” added the Uruguayan 10-goaler. “It is always a pleasure to play here.”

La Dolfina went into this crucial match after a strong blow, losing to La Ensenada last weekend. Ellerstina had been playing very well and were unbeaten in the tournament so far. But La Dolfina, even with two new members, cannot be underestimated. An injured Diego Cavanagh had to be replaced by Alejandro Muzzio, who excelled in that match.

“I think our season has been somewhat average,” says Pelón. “We all knew that, but we owe a lot to the people who work with us and support La Dolfina.”

What was the key going into such an important match?

I think we had to change our system of play. We did that and it worked, we handled it perfectly.

Pelón concludes with words of gratitude to La Dolfina’s fans: “They all knew it was a final,” he says, “and that’s why people came to support us. They made all this all the more special; we are grateful to all of them.”

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH PELON STIRLING HERE (POLOLINE TV)