Soviniec/Poland, September 9, 2025. With heart, courage, and impressive joy of play, the Swiss national polo team made a strong statement at the 2025 FIP Polo European Championship at the Sowiniec Polo Club near Poznań, Poland: the journey led all the way to the final and the winning of the silver medal. This second place is also the best result in the history of the Swiss national polo team. The last medal for Switzerland came in 1993, when the team won bronze at the European Championship.
At the 2025 FIP Polo European Championship, held at the impressive Sowiniec Polo Club in Poland, the Swiss national team showed themselves at their very best. In the preliminary round, the team proved their fighting spirit and will to win: with an 8:6 victory over France, a clear 11:4.5 win against Spain, and a decisive 13:6.5 triumph over the Netherlands, Switzerland secured a spot in the semifinals. There they met Italy – and once again impressed with team spirit and clever play. The 9:5 victory secured their well-deserved place in the final.
In the final against Spain, Switzerland once again showed focus and a solid tactical setup. Fabio Meier, Luca Meier, Patricio Gaynor Jr., and Tomas Ruiz Guiñazu played with determination, but in the end had to concede 4:7.5 to a strong Spanish team. Despite the defeat in the final, the team left a lasting impression with their passionate performance, winning many hearts – and qualification for the Polo World Championship.
Special recognition goes to the performance of young Patricio Gaynor Jr., who, at only 16 years old, wore Switzerland’s national colors for the first time. With his talent and crucial goals, he made a significant contribution to the team’s success and is considered a great hope for the future of Swiss polo.
About the FIP Polo European Championship
The FIP Polo European Championship is Europe’s largest tournament for national teams, held every two years and serving as qualification for the Polo World Championship. This year it was hosted in Poland for the first time – at the Sowiniec Polo Club just outside Poznań. The state-of-the-art venue combines elegant hospitality with world-class polo fields. Eight nations with over 200 horses and 32 players made the event one of Europe’s most spectacular equestrian sporting events.
www.polo2025.eu/en/
About the Swiss Polo Association (SPA)
The Swiss Polo Association (SPA) is the umbrella organization for all polo clubs in Switzerland. Its members include: Polo Club Ascona, Largovia Polo, Polo Club de Veytay, Evviva Polo Club St. Moritz, Polo Club Gstaad, Polo Park Zürich, Polo Club Zug, and St. Moritz Polo Club. Its main role is to represent the interests of Swiss polo clubs to authorities and international polo bodies such as the Federation of International Polo (FIP) and the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA). In addition, SPA sets the tournament rules, organizes the national championships, and coordinates the activities of the Swiss national polo team. Another key responsibility is determining the handicap of every player in Switzerland.
www.spa-swisspolo.ch
Text / Pictures : © Sowiniec Polo Club
