Tag Archives: Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Tournament

Polo, Revolution Sports

Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds Wins Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Final 2014

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Photo: Xavier Boudon/Pixizone.

Sunday 24 August 2014 – The glorious sun began to shine just in time for the conclusion of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Tournament. Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds played spectacular polo to steal the title away from last year’s winners Team Gstaad Palace in a stunning final, winning by 5 goals to 3.

The game was a fierce battle from start to finish. Both teams showed their sheer determination, as the riders and ponies jostled for the upper hand. Eduardo Menendez (ARG) displayed his envious skill, producing two impressive goals to give Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds an early lead. Team Gstaad Palace stepped their game up a gear in the 3rd chukka, creating some notable chances, only to be denied the rewards due to three unbelievable on-the-line blocks from Frankie Menendez (ARG). Victory was in sight for Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds as they entered the 4th chukka with a five-goal lead. However Team Gstaad Palace showed they were not willing to give up their title without a fight. Jeronimo Fanelli (ARG) scored three breathtaking goals to bring Team Gstaad Palace back into contention with two minutes still on the clock.

The unstoppable combination of the Menendez brothers, who have been playing together since they were three years old, proved just a little too much for Team Gstaad Palace as Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds secured the victory and was crowned champion of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Tournament.

The third place play off was decided by penalties, due to a waterlogged pitch as result of an excessive downpour of rain throughout Saturday evening. The atmosphere was tense for this unusual determining of 3rd and 4th place. Team Vicomte A.’s patron Michael Bruggler (SUI) stepped up to take the first penalty with a hard hit, allowing the ball to travel cleanly through the posts. This set the trend as Team Vicomte A. kept their lead in all three rounds. Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA stayed hot on their rival’s heels, trailing by just a single goal as they entered the final round. One shot away from victory Juan de Ezcurra (ARG) took his time, creating suspense among the spectators, an impressive strike through the posts, took his team to victory. The final score was 9 goals to 5.

Most Valuable Player:
Eduardo Menendez (Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds)

Top Goal Scorer:
Eduardo Menendez (Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds)

Best Playing Pony:
Coppola (Frankie Menendez – Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds)

The Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Tournament has fulfilled its reputation of being one of the best high-goal tournaments in Europe. This past weekend has seen three days of magnificent polo competition in the picturesque setting of Gstaad. This year crowds were bigger than ever, creating a buzzing atmosphere throughout the Tournament. It is therefore no surprise that the Teams, Spectators and Tournament Organisers alike are eagerly awaiting the 20th edition in 2015 – more information on the Hublot Polo Gold Cup can be found at www.pologstaad.ch, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pologstaad, or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pologstaad.

Quotes

Vicomte A. Team Captain Michael Bruggler: “This penalty strikes exercise was a little bit unusual; it was a real mental challenge. Before the start I was nervous about it, but at the end I was satisfied with my personal performance, with 3 out of 3 goals.

“This Gstaad experience was fantastic; I have played at a lot of venues in Europe but this is my first time in Gstaad. A special mention must go to Pierre E. Genecand who is doing an admirable job with perfect organisation throughout the whole event.”

E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds Team Captain Mohammed El Sewedi: “That was a really nice final. Despite the fact we had an early lead, we had to fight all the way to the end. From the first chukka we had to keep pushing really hard and Team Gstaad Palace came back really strong during the last chukka.

“Winning this beautiful tournament in Gstaad is incredible; I am already looking forward to coming back again next year and defending our title.”

Gstaad Palace Team Captain Gualtiero Giori: “It is a shame! Despite a strong final chukka we missed the victory. We were not lucky at all, hitting the goal posts twice, but that’s the sport! We have enjoyed the tournament and want to congratulate Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds on their fantastic performance in the final.”

– The Polo Club Gstaad was founded in 1995 and the first polo tournament was held in 1996.
– In 2006 Pierre Genecand became President of both the Club and the Tournament.
– In polo, handicaps vary from -2 to +10 (+10 being the best level).
– The Polo Village will be open on Saturday and Sunday

For further information, contact:
ComPeaR Sports Management: Mrs Magali Dubois Vaucher, press@pologstaad.ch Tel: +41 78 608 03 23
Polo Club Gstaad: Mrs Marianna Nagyova, info@pologstaad.ch www.pologstaad.ch Tel: +41 33 744 07 40

Competitions, Polo

Fiercely Contested Semi-Finals at the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Tournament

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Photo: Xavier Boudon/Pixizone.

Saturday 23 August 2014 – The spectators at the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Tournament were treated with two captivating semi-final matches on the third day of an action packed Tournament. Team Gstaad Palace beat Team Banque Brothers Sturdza SA, in what could be argued the hardest fought match of the Tournament so far, with a final score of 7 – 5.5. In the second semi-final, despite a noble fight from Team Vicomte A., it was Team E.I Sturdza Investment Funds who came out on top with a winning score of 7 – 4.5.

Team Gstaad Palace looked hungry to defend their 2013 Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad title, setting the pace in the first semi-final match with threatening attacks, charging down the field. Jeronimo Fanelli (ARG) proved to be a formidable force as he scored two striking goals, catapulting Team Gstaad Palace into an early lead. A penalty gave David Bernal (ARG) an opportunity for Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA to make their first mark on the game. Successfully slotting the ball between the posts, Bernal’s goal clearly spurred the team into a valiant come back ending the first chukka half a goal behind Team Gstaad Palace 3 – 2.5.

Team Gstaad Palace looked to be striding towards victory as they entered the 4th chukka with a 6 – 3.5 lead. However, Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA came back fighting fiercely with two goals from Pedro-Fernandez de Llorente, in a matter of minutes putting them back into contention, once again trailing by just half a goal. Despite this magnificent fight from the worthy side of Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA, Jeronimo Fanelli (ARG) sealed the deal as he streaked away successfully with the ball to bring the final score to 7 – 5.5. Team Gstaad Palace now has the chance to defend their title in the prestigious Hublot Polo Gold Cup Final held tomorrow at 15:00.

In the second semi-final of the day, despite an admirable fight from Team Vicomte A., the pressure proved to be too much for them against the adept Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds. The spectacular performance of Eduardo Menendez proved to be unstoppable, scoring five out of Team E.I Sturdza Investment Funds’ seven goals in the match, allowing them to stride ahead of their opposition.

Entering the final chukka with a 3.5 goal advantage E.I Sturdza Investment Funds remained in charge adding one more goal to their tally to claim their second victory of the Tournament and earn a place in tomorrow’s final with a 7 – 4.5 triumph.

Team Gstaad Palace will now face Team E.I Sturdza Investment Funds in what is set to be a tense final tomorrow at 15:00 to determine which Team will be crowned the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad 2014 Champion. Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA plays Team Vicomte A. in the 3rd place playoff at 13:30.

Quotes

Gualtiero Giori, the team captain of Team Gstaad Palace: “It was a tense close match; we were never leading by too much and were constantly under pressure from Team Banque Brothers Sturdza SA. We are happy to reach the final and defend our 2013 title.

“Our plan was to take a strong attacking approach in the first chukka, which we did successfully. As the match progressed we wanted to keep in control of the game so became slightly more defensive. When the final whistle blew we were happy with our well-deserved victory.”

Mohammed El Sewedi captain of Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds: “For us, that was a really tough game against Team Vicomte A.; we made sure we marked the opposition tightly which enabled us to win.

“This is our first time in Gstaad; the scenery is so beautiful and the tournament has been organised to a very high standard. It is a real honor for us to be competing in tomorrow’s final; we will do all we can to win!”

– The Polo Club Gstaad was founded in 1995 and the first polo tournament was held in 1996.
– In 2006 Pierre Genecand became President of both the Club and the Tournament.
– In polo, handicaps vary from -2 to +10 (+10 being the best level).
– The Polo Village will be open on Saturday and Sunday

For all further information, contact:
ComPeaR Sports Management: Mrs Magali Dubois Vaucher, press@pologstaad.ch Tel: +41 78 608 03 23
Polo Club Gstaad: Mrs Marianna Nagyova, info@pologstaad.ch www.pologstaad.ch Tel: +41 33 744 07 40