Saturday 17 August 2013 – The second day of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup in Gstaad saw two enthralling semi-final matches, with the players and ponies treating the enthusiastic crowd to a top class Polo spectacle. Team Gstaad Palace came out on top in the earlier match, beating Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA 10-5. In the second semi-final Team Hublot scorched to victory ahead of Team Star Design by 9 goals to 4.
Despite the superb performance of Argentine Marcos Riglos, who scored all 5 of his team’s goals, Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA had to settle for second place behind Team Gstaad Palace. A true team effort saw all 4 Gstaad Palace players make their mark on the score sheet – Gualtiero Giori (ITA) and Eduardo Menendez (ARG) finished with four each, and Riccardo Tattoni (ITA) and Santi Cernandas (ARG) made it a victorious 10, by adding a further goal apiece.
Team Hublot claimed victory and secured their place in tomorrow’s Final thanks to their feisty performance this afternoon. Argentinians Francisco Fucci and Salvatore Jauretche scored three goals respectively, whilst fellow countryman, Gonzalo Fucci, added a further two. Team Captain Daniel Aegerter (SUI), playing on home turf, also contributed one goal to the final score. Team Star Design put up a stellar fight with two goals each for both Nicolas Ruiz Guinazu (ARG) and the tournament’s top ranked player, Brazilian Olavo Novaes (Hcp. 8), but it simply wasn’t enough to see them through to compete for the overall title tomorrow – final score, 9 goals to 4.
Team Gstaad Palace will now face Team Hublot in tomorrow’s Final at 15:00 to determine which Team will be crowned the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad 2013 Champion. Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA play Team Star Design in the 3rd place playoff at 13:30.
Quotes
Gualtiero Giori, Team Gstaad Palace – “I’m really happy; it was a very good game for the crowd to watch with a lot of goals. The pitch was perfect and probably in the best condition I have ever experienced here in Gstaad.
“The difference was made in the second chukka simply by the speed of ponies – they were outrunning the ball!
“Even though the other team came back slightly in the final chukka, we always felt under control and comfortable for the win.”
Daniel Aegerter, Captain, Team Hublot – “It was a perfect match. Everyone played well above their level. The sport simply doesn’t get any better than this, and nor does the organisation! Just brilliant.”
For further information, please contact:
ComPeaR, Magali Dubois Vaucher
press@pologstaad.ch
Tel +41 78 608 03 23
Polo Club Gstaad
Nathalie Daenzer
info@pologstaad.ch
Tel: +41 33 744 07 40 or visit: www.polo-gstaad.ch
The Polo Club of 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. Hublot joined force in 2008.
In Polo handicap vary from -2 to +10 (10 being the highest level). Only a few Argentinian players have a 10 handicap.
The tournament takes place on the Gstaad Saanen airport field. Free entrance.
Shops and Kinder Paradise will be open in the Official Village on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 11h onwards.
Revolution Sports + Entertainment
T: +44(0)207 592 1207
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk