The moment has come. La Dolfina Saudi and Ellerstina Johor will go head to head in the most awaited polo match of the year, the final of the 127th Argentine Polo Open.
There have been doubts surrounding La Dolfina’s ability to hold their ground this season, particularly after losing to RS Murus Sanctus, but the Fab Four have made it to the final. Their performance in the first five chukkas against La Natividad Las Monjitas were some of La Dolfina’s best moments – not forgetting that this team has been playing together for 10 years.
Does that performance make them the favourites? It’s difficult to say. But if they are able to recreate that level of play, they will be well positioned to win the title, particularly if Ellerstina play like they did on Sunday, when they had to work very hard to take the victory.
But, based on what they have done this season, there is no doubt that Ellerstina are the favourites. Not only are they better prepared than La Dolfina, having played all their matches together since their Tortugas Open debut, but they have also played very well. They overwhelmed their opponents, with every player on the team playing at their best. However, their performance on Sunday was dismal. They managed to qualify for the final, their ultimate goal, but to beat La Dolfina they must be at their best. Ellerstina have the determinatio, and it is not crazy to think that they can go all the way on Saturday, December 19.
As Pelón Stirling told to PoloLine, La Dolfina made a comeback at the right moment. If they are able to play at that level, and if Ellerstina can’t hold it together, they will be in trouble. It is also important to consider the conditions of the field. While the ground is not in the best condition, we have to see how those conditions change after a seven day break. At this level of polo, it is likely that a sub-par field will only affect the quality of play, but not favour one team over another. If both La Dolfina and Ellerstina are truly inspired and playing their best, there is no way that the field condition will make too much of a difference.
After such a challenging year, having the Argentine Open final go ahead at all is a total delight. It will be a privilege for those who are lucky enough to be at Palermo, but it won’t be the same without the thousands of screaming fans. And it is difficult to name a favourite. On one side, La Dolfina are giving it their all and are determined to show that they can win more; on the other, Ellerstina, the only undefeated team of the season, are here to prove that they deserve the title after all. One thing is for sure – this will be a final like no other.
FINAL 127° ARGENTINE OPEN: LA DOLFINA SAUDI vs ELLERSTINA JOHOR
LA DOLFINA SAUDI: Adolfo Cambiaso 10, David Stirling 10, Pablo Mac Donough 10, Juan Martín Nero 10. Total: 40.
ELLERSTINA JOHOR: Facundo Pieres 10, Hilario Ulloa 10, Gonzalo Pieres 9, Nicolás Pieres 10. Total: 39.
Umpires: Guillermo Villanueva & Martín Pascual.
Third Man: Gastón Lucero.
KICK-OFF: 5pm, Palermo’s number one ground.