The countdown to the 127th Argentine Open final began on Saturday, December 12, with a crucial match on Palermo’s number one ground between RS Murus Sanctus and La Irenita. RS Murus Sanctus had a chance to qualify for the final, but in order to do som, they had to defeat La Irenita, and await the result of the following match. They could only qualify for the final if La Dolfina beat La Natividad Las Monjitas by just one goal, scoring twelve goals or less.
After two even first chukkas, RS Murus Sanctus took off in the third, thanks to a brilliant Sapo Caset, who scored four unanswered goals, while holding La Irenita scoreless, to give his team a commanding 7-3 advantage. After RS Murus Sanctus’ explosive third chukka, the fourth belonged to a determined La Irenita. This time RS Murus Sanctus were held scoreless, as Facundo Fernández Llorente, Min Podestá and Juan Gris Zavaleta, who all scored a field goal apiece to close the gap down to just one goal.
This meant that, by half time, RS Murus Sanctus were only leading by one (8-7). In the second half of the match RS Murus Sanctus widened their advantage, but La Irenita were hot on their heels. With only one chukka left to play, RS Murus Sanctus held a five goal advantage. The Caset-Sola duo proved lethal in the last chukka, as Caset’s work resulted in two great goals by Sola. While Juan Martín Zubía scored for La Irenita, RS Murus Sanctus got what they wanted: a 16-10 victory.
Then, the much awaited moment arrived: The clash between La Natividad Las Monjitas and La Dolfina Saudi on Palermo’s number one ground. This was a match nobody wanted to miss, mostly because it was the first time La Natividad Las Monjitas faced the multiple champions with their complete 40-goal lineup, and because the winner would claim a place in the final of the Argentine Open.
La Dolfina got off to a terrific start, with all four members scoring goals. Barto Castagnola hit a powerful neckshot that resulted in goal in the last seconds of play, but the chukka ended with La Dolfina leading 4-1. La Dolfina’s dominance in the first half was overwhelming. What’s remarkable is that they only needed a couple of games to regain their rhythm, after a complicated start to the season due to several members suffering injuries. So, despite La Natividad Las Monjitas’ efforts – a couple of good goals by Jeta Castagnola and Polito Pieres – they were unable to stop the experienced champions as they took a heavy 11-4 lead by half time.
La Dolfina showed why they are a 40-goal team. In a challenging year, La Dolfina made it to Palermo with their complete lineup. Perhaps many expected the match to be a more balanced contest, but La Dolfina played one of their best games ever.
The second half was no different at all from the first; it seemed like a walk in the park for La Dolfina, while La Natividad Las Monjitas struggled and seemed somewhat lost at times. With only one chukka remaining, it was clear that La Dolfina were going to win, having taken a commanding 19-9 lead. Not only did they overwhelm their rivals, but La Dolfina managed to get what they wanted: a place in the Argentine Open final. This will be their twentieth final since La Dolfina was founded, back in 2000, by Adolfo Cambiaso. The Cañuelas-based team has therefore been in EVERY Argentine Open final since then, with the exception of 2004.
RS MURUS SANCTUS 16-10 LA IRENITA
RS Murus Sanctus: Facundo Sola 9 (4 goals), Francisco Elizalde 8, Guillermo Caset 10 (11, three penalties), Alfredo Cappella Barabucci 8 (1). Total: 35.
La Irenita: Martín Podestá 7 (1), Juan Martín Zavaleta 8 (1), Facundo Fernández Llorente 7 (1), Juan Martín Zubía 8 (7, four penalties and one corner). Total: 30.
Score RS Murus Sanctus: 2-1, 3-3, 7-3, 7-6, 10-7, 12-7, 14-9, 16-10.
Umpires: Matías Baibiene and Gonzalo López Vargas.
Third Man: José I. Araya.´
BPP Polo Argentino: Cachiyuyo Millonaria (Open Iluminado x Chapa Mercedes), played by Facundo Sola.
Nominees:
Dolfi Educada (Durazno x Cautiva), played by Guillermo Caset.
Irenita Loli (Dolfina Cuarteto x Irenita Cuñada), played by Facundo Fernández Llorente.
LA DOLFINA SAUDI 21-10 LA NATIVIDAD LAS MONJITAS
La Dolfina Saudi: Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (5 goals, 3 on penalties), David Stirling 10 (4), Pablo Mac Donough 10 (8, 3 on penalties), Juan Martín Nero 10 (4, 1 on penalties). Total: 40.
La Natividad Monjitas: Camilo Castagnola 8 (7, 3 on penalties), Pablo Pieres 10 (1), Bartolomé Castagnola 9 (1), Ignatius Du Plessis 9 (1). Total: 36.
Score La Dolfina Saudi: 4-1, 7-2, 8-4, 12-4, 14-5, 17-8, 19-9, 21-10.
Umpires: Gastón Lucero & Martín Pascual.
Third Man: Guillermo Villanueva.
BPP Polo Argentino: Dolfina B03 Cuartetera-Clon 3 (Founder Dolfina Cuartetera), played by Adolfo Cambiaso.
Nominees:
JM Varsovia (Dolfina Cuarteto x Viudita), played by Juan Martín Nero.
JM Rumba (Open Chimento x Chapa Rachel), played by Juan Martín Nero.
The 127th Argentine Open continues on Sunday:
12pm: Los Machitos vs. Cria Gete
5pm: Ellerstina vs La Dolfina Polo Ranch
127th ARGENTINE OPEN: Fixture & Teams
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