The 126° Argentine Open, the most important polo tournament in the world, has found its finalists! La Dolfina qualified for the final on Saturday after their defeat of La Dolfina Polo Ranch, and the second finalist was unveiled on Sunday after Ellerstina beat Las Monjitas by 11 goals to 10 on Palermo’s number one ground.
The championship saw ten teams compete; La Dolfina is the highest handicapped team, boasting 40-goals. This year they are playing for their seventh consecutive title.
A large crowd flocked to Palermo to watch Ellerstina take on Las Monjitas, and they were not disappointed. It was an evenly matched, emotional encounter. Ellerstina were only able to take a two-goal advantage once in the entire match, as Las Monjitas were always on their heels bringing the difference down to one at most. However, Camilo Bautista’s boys did not have enough time to score one more goal to stay in the game.
Ellerstina’s victory sees the Pieres family qualify for the Argentine Open final once again; in 2018, they were defeated by La Monjitas in the semis and failed to make it to the final. On Saturday, La Z will be playing for their seventh title in Palermo. They previously won in 1994 (Triple Crown winners), 1997, 1998, 2008, 2010 (Triple Crown winners) and in 2012.
RANKING: (*GP – Games Played / *GF – Goals in Favour)
1)La Dolfina: 750 Points (4 GP) (70 GF).
2)Ellerstina: 750 Points (4 GP) (53 GF).
3)LD Polo Ranch: 450 Points (4 GP) (55 GF).
4)Las Monjitas: 450 Points (4 GP) (54 GF).
5)La Natividad: 300 Points (4 GP) (44 GF).
6)La Albertina: 150 Points (4 GP) (44 GF).
7)La Aguada: 150 Points (4 GP) (43 GF).
8)La Ensenada: 150 Points (4 GP) (39 GF).*
9)La Irenita: 150 Points (4 GP) (36 GF).**
10)Cría Yatay: 0 Points (4 GP) (42 GF).**
* Will go to playoff against Camara Cup winner.
** Will have to play the 2020 Qualification.
ELLERSTINA 11-10 LAS MONJITAS
Ellerstina Johor: Facundo Pieres 10 (5 goals, 2 penalties), Gonzalo Pieres 9 (2), Pablo Pieres 10 (2), Nicolás Pieres 10 (2). Total: 39
Las Monjitas: Facundo Sola 9 (3 goals), Hilario Ulloa 10, Guillermo Caset 10 (7 penalties), Santiago Toccalino 9. Total: 38.
Score Ellerstina: 2-2, 3-3, 4-5, 6-5, 8-7, 9-8, 10-9, 11-10.
Umpires: Gastón Lucero & Guillermo Villanueva.
Third man: Martín Pascual.
Best Polo Argentino of the Match: Open Biznieta (Ellerstina Pícaro and Open Nieta), played by Nicolás Pieres.
Nomination 1: Irenita Negra Sosa (Irenita Lunático and Irenita Quena), played by Hilario Ulloa.
Nomination 2: Open Huracanada (Open Cabernet and Open Katrina), played by Facundo Pieres.
The Argentine Open concludes on Saturday:
5pm: Ellerstina vs La Dolfina*
ARGENTINE OPEN: Fixture & Teams
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