Gstaad Palace wins Hublot Polo Gold Cup

This year’s trophy of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup goes to Gualtiero Giori (+1), Eduardo Menendez (+7), Riccardo Tattoni (0) and Santi Cernadas (+6) of team Gstaad Palace. The tournament took place in Gstaad in the Bernese Oberland in front of the magnificent backdrop of the Swiss Alps. In a stunning final, the foursome of Gstaad Palace defeated Daniel Aegerter (0), Francisco Fucci (+6), Gonzalo Fucci (+6) and Salvador Jauretche (+2) of team Hublot by 8-7.
In the final match, the players and ponies jostled for the lead continuously with each taking their turn at the top. In the end it all came to a head in the final 30 seconds when Eduardo Menendez scored a spectacular goal off the back of a penalty taking Gstaad Palace’s total score to 8 goals, just one ahead of team Hublot, and secured victory and the 2013 title for this consistently high quality team. This is the second time they have stood atop of the podium at the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad.
The battle for third position took place earlier in the day. It was an exceedingly intense match that went to a fifth Chukka decider. With the lead constantly changing throughout the match the crowd was enthralled. The final decider came in the form of a magnificent golden goal by Marcos Riglos (+4) securing victory and the third place for his team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza with Cedric Schweri (0), Marcos Riglos (+5) and Juan de Ezcurra (+5). They won against Star Design by 7-6.
Gualtiero Giori of team Captain Gstaad Palace: “The match was so close but in the end a beautiful victory! We took the lead in the initial chukka but then they came right back at us, it was a rollercoaster of a polo match! In the end, everything came down to the last 30 seconds, the suspense was intense – but this is Gstaad! This is our 4th Final and our 2nd win. The most memorable part of match was when we fought so hard to defend an attack from Team Hublot right on the line – we just about managed to get the ball away and in doing so we managed to score ourselves!”
Cedric Schweri, captain of team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA: “It was an intense match, very tight between the two teams. I am so pleased with today’s victory! Star Design beat us on Thursday so we were able to get our own back today! I am really happy with the way I played and I tried my very best not to get in the way too much of my team’s pro-players! I really do hope I get the chance to come back next year.”
Since its inception in 1996, the event has rapidly become one of the most renowned European tournaments, showcasing amazing facilities and top-level sport with some of the most talented professional polo players in the world eager to display their talent. Each year more than 6,000 spectators attend the matches at the private airport of Gstaad Saanen.
The standings:
1. Gstaad Palace (+14)
Gualtiero Giori (+1)
Eduardo Menendez (+7)
Riccardo Tattoni (0)
Santi Cernadas (+6)
2. Hublot (+14)
Daniel Aegerter (0)
Francisco Fucci (+6)
Gonzalo Fucci (+6)
Salvador Jauretche (+2)
3. Bank Baring Brothers Sturdza (+14)
Cedric Schweri (0)
Martin Riglos (+4)
Marcos Riglos (+5)
Juan de Ezcurra (+5)
4. Star Design (+14)
Allegra Nasi (0)
Olavo Novaes (+8)
Nicolas Ruiz Guinazu (+3)
Aki van Andel (+3)