Mohammed El Sewedi (+2), Eduardo Menendez (+6), Frankie Menendez (+6) and Facundo Barnetche (0) of team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds are the winners of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad 2014. The foursome enforced against the winner of the last year, team Gstaad Palace, by 5-3 after a thrilling final and therefore got the coveted trophy.
From the beginning, the two teams played an exciting fight. The Argentine Eduardo Menendez made two impressive goals which resulted in an early lead of his team. Also Gstaad Palace had significant opportunities in the match. Especially in the third chukker, Gualtiero Giori (+1), Silvestre Fanelli (+4), Jeronimo Fanelli (+5) and Juan Gonzalez (+4) stepped it up a notch again. However, E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds answered this effort with a triple volley of goals of Frankie Menendez. It almost looked like E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds gain a victory with a five goal lead. But Gstaad Palace didn’t give up without a struggle and showed with three goals of Jeronimo Fanelli in the fourth chukker, that you can still count on them. But against such a well-rehearsed team like the Mendenez brothers, who are play together since they are three years old, there was nothing to do and so the defending champion had to content with the second place.
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 defendingi 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 third place was decided by a penalty shootout. Due to a heavy shower before the final on Saturday, the field was too splashy to perform a normal match. Team Vicomte A. won the penalty shootout by 9-5.
Eduardo Menendez from team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds was awarded as Most Valuable Player. The tribute as Best Playing Pony went to “Coppola” of team-mate Frankie Menendez.
The Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad was played in 1996 for the first time and is now one of the most prestigious high-goal tournaments in Europe. 2015 the event celebrates it’s 20th edition.
Ranking:
1. E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds (+14)
Mohammed El Sewedi (+2)
Eduardo Menendez (+6)
Frankie Menendez (+6)
Facundo Barnetche (0)
2. Gstaad Palace (+14)
Gualtiero Giori (+1)
Silvestre Fanelli (+4)
Jeronimo Fanelli (+5)
Juan Gonzalez (+4)
3. Vicomte A. (+13)
Michael Bruggler (0)
Marcelo Pascual (+6)
Juan de Ezcurra (+5)
Sebastian Bernardez (+2)
4. Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA (+13)
Cedric Schweri (0)
David Bernal (+5)
Martin Joaquin (+3)
Pedro Fernandez Llorente (+5)
Gallery:
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