This past weekend Alegría Sancor Seguros caused a great sensation at the Argentine Open in Palermo, Buenos Aires. The 34-goal team defeated Ellerstina Piaget unexpectedly by 19-15 and secured a place in the final. It is the first time Alegría made it to the final of the Argentine Open. For Ellerstina it is the first time since 2006 that they will not be playing in the most important match of the season.
Under perfect sunny skies, four matches took place this weekend, all of them a true polo show of the most outstanding level. On Saturday, Chapaleufú Lange with Alberto Heguy (7), Francisco Elizalde (7), Bautista Heguy (8) and Eduardo Heguy (8) confronted La Aguada ICBC conformed by Facundo Sola (8), Guillermo Terrera (7), Ignatius Du Plessis (7) and Ignacio Novillo Astrada (9), a fast match ending with a victory for La Aguada, 19-17.
Later on, the biggest surprise up to this stage of the Argentine Open happened: the black giant Ellerstina was defeated by Alegría, the team that became the first finalist of the tournament. The solid Alegría team with Pablo Pieres (8), Hilario Ulloa (9), Lucas Monteverde (9) and Frederick Mannix (8) showed true courage and teamwork, and made the audience stand up and cheer for them awaiting for the final results, taking the lead of the match from the 4th chukker, in a fast-paced game. Ellerstina with Facundo Pieres (10), Gonzalo Pieres (10), Mariano Aguerre (10) and Nicolás Pieres (9), with a wounded pride could not catch up. A historical and totally unexpected polo afternoon.
On Sunday, two more phenomenal games took place. After midday, La Aguada Las Monjitas with Lucas James (8), Cristián Laprida (8), Eduardo Novillo Astrada (9) and Alejandro Novillo Astrada (8) defeated team Magual with Alejandro Muzzio (8), Ignacio Toccalino (8), Marcos Di Paola (8) and Jaime García Huidobro (8) for 15-8, ensuring La Aguada Las Monjitas ICBC its first triumph in Palermo.
The last game in the main and biggest field resulted on an overwhelming victory by the 39-goal team La Dolfina Hope Funds, Adolfo Cambiaso (10), David Stirling (9), Pablo Mac Donough (10) and Juan Martín Nero (10) over La Natividad Amarok with Guillermo Caset (9), Ignacio Heguy (9), Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade (8) and Bartolomé Castagnola (9). La Dolfina’s goals were almost impossible to count, they just came one after another. The tactics and work of both teams was excellent, but expectedly La Dolfina shined and showed off the perfect polo that can only be seen at Palermo, winning by 20-13, and taking the Jaeger Le-Coultre cup home.
Now all polo fans have their minds on next Saturday, when the final games will be played. With the favourite Ellerstina out of the golden final game, La Dolfina will face the unforeseen: a match with Alegría. Definitely, after last weekend’s matches, there is nothing obvious or predictable now. There is only wait with anticipation galore.
The results:
Saturday, November 16th, 2013
|
Ellerstina Piaget |
: |
Chapaleufú Lange |
23 |
: |
14 |
|
Alegría Sancor Seguros |
: |
La Aguada ICBC |
16 |
: |
13 |
Sunday, November 17th, 2013
|
La Dolfina Hope Funds |
: |
Magual |
15 |
: |
9 |
|
La Natividad Amarok |
: |
La Aguada Las Monjitas ICBC |
15 |
: |
14 |
Saturday, November 23rd, 2013
|
Alegría Sancor Seguros |
: |
Chapaleufú Lange |
19 |
: |
16 |
|
Ellerstina Piaget |
: |
La Aguada ICBC |
14 |
: |
13 |
Sunday, November 24th, 2013
|
La Natividad Amarok |
: |
Magual |
12 |
: |
14 |
|
La Dolfina Hope Funds |
: |
La Aguada Las Monjitas ICBC |
15 |
: |
10 |
Saturday, November 30th, 2013
|
La Aguada ICBC |
: |
Chapaleufú Lange |
19 |
: |
17 |
|
Ellerstina Piaget |
: |
Alegría Sancor Seguros |
15 |
: |
19 |
Sunday, December 1st, 2013
|
La Aguada Las Monjitas ICBC |
: |
Magual |
15 |
: |
8 |
|
La Dolfina Hope Funds |
: |
La Natividad Amarok |
20 |
: |
13 |
Match schedule:
Sunday, December 7th, 2013 – final
|
La Dolfina Hope Funds |
: |
Alegría Sancor Seguros |
The teams:
Zone A
Ellerstina Piaget (+39)
Facundo Pieres (+10)
Gonzalo Pieres (+10)
Mariano Aguerre (+10)
Nicolás Pieres (+9)
Alegría Sancor Seguros (+34)
Pablo Pieres (+8)
Hilario Ulloa (+9)
Lucas Monteverde (+9)
Frederick Mannix (+8)
La Aguada ICBC (+31)
Facundo Sola (+8)
Guillermo Terrera (+7)
Miguel Novillo Astrada (+9)
Ignatius Du Plessis (+7)
Chapaleufú Lange (+30)
Alberto Heguy (+7)
Francisco Elizalde (+7)
Bautista Heguy (+8)
Eduardo Heguy (+8)
Zone B
La Dolfina Hope Funds (+39)
Adolfo Cambiaso (+10)
David Stirling (+9)
Pablo Mac Donough (+10)
Juan Martín Nero (+10)
La Natividad Amarok (+35)
Guillermo Caset (+9)
Ignacio Heguy (+9)
Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade (+8)
Bartolomé Castagnola (+9)
La Aguada Las Monjitas ICBC (+33)
Lucas James (+8)
Cristián Laprida (+8)
Eduardo Novillo Astrada (+9)
Alejandro Novillo Astrada (+8)
Magual (+32)
Alejandro Muzzio (+8)
Ignacio Toccalino (+8)
Marcos Di Paola (+8)
Jaime García Huidobro (+8)
