Los Pinos grounds, in Sotogrande, saw an exciting day of finals on Saturday, August 27. Two nail biting matches that had the spectators in awe and were decided in the last minutes of play. In the day’s main game, played on ground 3, Dubai ran out the champions of 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, having previously won the Terralpa Silver Cup two weeks ago.
In the Gold Cup final, 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 belonged to Dubai, who not only took the lead, but dominated the scoreboard. Marqués de Riscal didn’t give up, however. They were three goals behind by half time and managed to get back in the game in the fourth chukka.
Luis Aznar’s team fought hard to close the gap several times, finally securing a 9-all tie in the sixth chukka, courtesy of a 60-yard penalty converted by Sapo Caset. However, throughout the season in Sotogrande, Dubai have shown to be fierce and dominating – and the final was no exception.
While Camilo Castagnola, arguably 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. Camilo was crucial assisting Matt Perry score three unanswered goals to secure the coveted title for Dubai.
In the meantime, Estancia Lamar, who were unable to give their best during the low goal Bronze Cup and Silver Cup, came back guns blazing in the Globant Gold Cup. They played a remarkable final against San Leonardo, and after a very close match, claimed a narrow 12-11 win in OT.
The finals of the Globant Gold Cup were followed by an awards presentation, attended by several notable individuals: 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 51st International Polo Tournament Sotogrande was hosted by Ayala Polo Club.
51st INTERNATIONAL POLO TOURNAMENT SOTOGRANDE – 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.
SUMMARY – Saturday, August 27:
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.