Spain won the XII FIP World Polo Championship on Sunday, November 6, at the National Polo Center, in Wellington, United States. The Spaniards narrowly defeated team USA in OT by 11 goals to 10, with a golden goal scored by Pelayo Berazadi. Spain not only won the championship for the first time, but they also became the first European team to ever win the title. USA took Silver, while Uruguay took bronze after defeating Argentina by 9 goals to 7.5.

The XII FIP World Polo Championship saw eight countries, up to 14 goals, compete.

FINAL XII FIP WORLD POLO CHAMPIONSHIP: SPAIN 11-10 UNITED STATES

SPAIN: Tuki Ruiz Guiñazú 4 (3 goles), Luis Domecq 3 (1), Pelayo Berazadi 5 (6), Nicolás Álvarez 2. Total: 14.

UNITED STATES: Hope Arellano 2 (1 gol), Agustin Arellano 3 (2), Lucas Escobar 4 (2), Nico Escobar 5 (5). Total: 14.

Score España: 2-1, 3-6, 7-8, 8-9, 10-10, 11-10.

Umpires: Steve Dalton & Steve Evans.

Third man: Adrian Wade

BPP: J5 Matilde, played by Pelayo Berazadi.

THIRD PLACE MATCH: URUGUAY 9-7.5 ARGENTINA

URUGUAY: Gastón Magariños 1, Mauricio Sánchez 4, Ignacio Viana 5, Santiago Stirling 5. Total: 15.

ARGENTINA: Gonzalo Santamarina 4, Estanislao Abelenda 3, Bartolomé Bayugar 3, Santiago Buzzi 3. Total: 13.

Score Uruguay: (0-1.5) 3-2.5, 7-4.5, 9-6.5, 9-7.5.

Umpires: Adrian Wade & Kimo Huddleston.

Third man: Hamish Bray.

BPP: J5 Dolche, played by Santiago Stirling.

FIP WORLD POLO CHAMPIONSHIP – WINNERS:

1987: Argentina in Argentina.

1989: USA in Germany.

1992: Argentina in Chile.

1995: Brazil in Switzerland.

1998: Argentina in USA. 

2001: Brazil in Australia.

2004: Brazil in France.

2008: Chile in Mexico.

2011: Argentina in Argentina.

2015: Chile in Chile.

2017: Argentina in Australia.

2022: Spain in USA.

PHOTO CREDIT: David Lominska.