Unbeaten champions! Jean-Francois Decaux’s Brittany finished the Coupe d’Or with a perfect score after defeating Talandracas in the all-French final on Sunday, August 28, at Deauville International Polo Club.
The final was spectacular, a fierce game between two of the most powerful organisations of French polo. The match got off to an even start: Brittany claimed an early 2-0 lead in the first chukka, but Talandracas replied quickly in the two following, tying the match 6-all in the third. But the fourth chukka belonged to Brittany, as they scored three unanswered goals to give Decaux’s team a solid three-goal advantage (9-6). With only one chukka left to play, it seemed that Brittany had everything under control. But Talandracas bounced back in that last, thanks to Rufino Bensadon’s skills, tying the game 9-all. As a result, it was anyone’s game, and both teams fought hard in the last minutes of play.
Halfway through the last chukka, Benjamin Urquiza scored to put Brittany in the lead once again; however, Talandracas were not going to let go easily. With less than a minute left to play, Talandracas were awarded a 60-yard penalty to tie the match once again. Unfortunately for them, Bensadon’s shot went wide. The final bell rang and Brittany celebrated the 10-9 win, the victory that gave them the Coupe d’Or title. It is worth noting that this is the first Coupe d’Or win for Jean-Francois Decaux, a man that has won two British Open titles with La Bamba de Areco – the first in 2009 with Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres, and the second in 2021, with Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso. Now, he has added another legendary golden trophy to his collection.
The Coupe d’Or, established in 1950, is the most important tournament of the prestigious Barriere Deauville Polo Cup at Deauville International Polo Club, set in Normandy, Northwest France.
The final of the Coupe d’Or was streamed live on PoloLineTV.
COUPE D’OR – FINAL – SUNDAY, AUGUST 28:
BRITTANY 10-9 TALANDRACAS
Brittany: Jean-François Decaux 1, Benjamin Urquiza 6 (7 goals, 3 penalties), Diego Cavanagh 8 (3), Roberto Iturrioz 1. Total: 16.
Talandracas: Édouard Carmignac 0, Rufino Bensadon 7 (7 goals, 4 penalties)), Juan Martin Zubía 8, Hugues Carmignac 1 (2). Total: 16.
Score Brittany: 2-0, 4-4, 6-6, 9-6, 10-9.
MVP: Rufino Bensadon.
MVP Amateur: Hugues Carmignac.
Best Polo Argentino Bred, presented by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Assn.: DS Soprano, owned by Benjamin Urquiza and ridden by Diego Cavanagh.
BPP: Peregrino Bandita, owned by Rufino Bensadon.
The Barriere Deauville Polo Cup welcomes some of the most renowned names in polo, with top players competing in the four tournaments (men and women). The highlight of the series, the historic Coupe d’Or is one of the most important tournaments of the international polo calendar. The Coupe d’Or saw five teams, up to 16 goals, compete.
This traditional event is composed of four tournaments: the Coupe d’Argent; the Ladies Polo Cup, the Coupe de Bronze; and the most coveted trophy of all, the Coupe d’Or.
2022 SEASON IN DEAUVILLE – DATES:
COUPE D’ARGENT: August 7-13 (16-goal) Fixture & Teams
Winners: Barriere.
LADIES POLO CUP: August 10-13 (12-14 goal, ladies handicap) Fixture & Teams
Winners: Augustinus Bader.
COUPE DE BRONZE: August 16-27 (6–8 goal) Fixture & Teams
Winners: Baitov
COUPE D’OR: August 15-28 (14-16 goal) Fixture & Teams
Winners: Brittany.
IMAGES:
Coupe d’Or, Final – Brittany vs. Talandracas