Gräff Capital

Europe, Polo News

Swiss Medium Goal Polo Championships 2022: Looking for victory!

5. July 2022

Once again, the Swiss Medium Goal Championships at the Polo Park Zürich provided a tingling mix of great excitement, drama and a great atmosphere. In addition, there was a very special premiere to celebrate this year.

For years, the trophy of the “Swiss Medium Goal Polo Championships” has been considered the most coveted of the season – and this time, a total of six teams fought for victory. Five came directly from the organizing club, while the sixth team was made up of players from three different cantons and an Argentine professional.

On the first day, the level of excitement remained consistently high, as all matches came down to the wire: Polo Park Zürich won against Polo Club Zug only in overtime. There was even a dash of drama in the second match: Sébastien Le Page, playing for Los Lobos, injured himself at the end of the second chukker after scoring a goal and was therefore replaced by Stefan Roth. Then Los Lobos finished the match against Gräff Capital with a very close 9:8 victory. Séb was replaced for the rest of the weekend by Patricio Gaynor Benoit, a Swiss-Argentine player just 13 years old, due to his injury. The first match on Saturday was lost by Polo Club Zug against Gräff Capital. Kusnacht Practice, the “lucky loser” from the previous day, lost to Polo Park Zürich and in the last match of the day Los Lobos defeated Equilibrium.

Sunday, under vibrant sunshine, all teams were eager to win. While the first game was discontinued after 2 chukkas due to an accident, the second game was very disputed and Equilibrium won by only one goal against Gräff Capital.

The final between the defending champions and Los Lobos promised to be a particularly contested and correspondingly close match at the start. But after the first chukker, Los Lobos took a clear lead and finally secured the title of the 2022 Swiss Medium Goal Polo Championships with victory. For Patricio Gaynor Benoit in particular, it was a very special tournament. At just 13 years old, he is the youngest player ever to win this championship. The talent obviously runs in the family: Patricio triumphed three years after his father was able to hold the trophy in his hands.

Ranking:

1. Los Lobos (+6)
Morgan Van Overbroek, B (0)
Facundo Kelly, AR (+3)
Martin Podesta, AR/I (+3)
Patricio Gaynor Benoit CH/AR (0)

2. Polo Park Zürich
Sacha Djafarian, CH (-1)
Thomas Wolfensberger, CH (+1)
Walter Cortez, AR (+4)
Juan Diego Rizo Patron Parks, PE (+2)

3. Equilibrium (+6)
Daniel Aegerter, CH (0)
Stefan Roth, CH (0)
Matias Allaria, AR (+2)
Francisco Fucci, AR (+4)

4. Gräff Kapital (+6)
Markus Gräff, CH (0)
Reto Hausammann / David Kalberer CH/CH (0/0)
Alejo Badano, AR (+3)
Thommy Gräff, CH (+3)

5. Polo Club Zug (+6)
Aline Haerry, CH (-1)
Andrew Drummond, CH (+1)
Chris Kiesel, DE (+2)
Facundo Guevara, AR (+4)

6. Kusnacht Practice (+6)
Andrew Guthrie, GB (0)
Eduardo Greghi, CH/BR (0)
Jacinto Peralta Ramos, AR (+2)
Carlos Solari, AR (+4)

Best playing pony: Arisquisabia – owned by Sébastien Le Page – played by Martin Podesta.

PROGRAM / Results

Friday, June 10^th15.00 h: Game 1 Kusnacht Practice 4 – Equilibrium 6
16.15 h: Game 2 Polo Park Zürich 5 – Polo Club Zug 4
17.30 h: Game 3 Gräff Capital 6 – Los Lobos 7

Saturday, June 11^th15.00 h: Game 4 Polo Club Zug 4 – Gräff Capital 6
16.15 h: Game 5 Kusnacht Practice (Lucky Loser) 6 – Polo Park Zürich 7
17.30 h: Game 6 Equilibrium 5 – Los Lobos 6 (Seb replaced by Patricio Gaynor JR).

Sunday, June 12^th10.30 h: 5th & 6th place Polo Club Zug 4 – Kusnacht Practice 2
11.45 h: 3rd & 4th place Equilibrium 6 – Gräff Capital 5

Final Swiss Medium Goal Polo Championship
13.00 h: Polo Park Zürich 3 – Los Lobos 8

Referees: Cesar Ruiz Guiñazú & Nicolas Scorticcini

Photos: © Tim Hughes

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Once again, the Swiss Medium Goal Championships at the Polo Park Zürich provided a tingling mix of great excitement, drama and a great atmosphere. In addition, there was a very…

Europe, Polo News

The heat is on for the Zürich Championship Medium Goal!

8. July 2019

Nestled among the picture postcard hills, in the north of Switzerland, the final of the Zürich Championship Medium Goal took place at Polo Park Zürich. For the 14th year running, the tournament founded and sponsored by Equilibrium patron Daniel Aegerter for both professionals and amateur players alike, rallied a cheery crowd of polo enthusiasts to watch spectacular play.

The match for fifth and sixth place began promptly at 10am, like a reliable Swiss watch. Luck was in for Equilibrium, who have previously won the Championship title over a handful of times, as they won their match 7 – 3 against Wascosa landing them fifth place.

BIO-R took on Banque Havilland for third and fourth spots, and in a very close match, BIO-R secured their place against Banque Havilland 5 goals to 4.

After two surprisingly competitive matches, and with Los Lobos seeking to defend their 2018 title, the final was set to be a nail biting one!

The first chukka set off at an exploding pace, and despite many players testing their ponies jumping skill over the boards, play was forward, fast and action packed. Great defense came from Los Lobos, who were undoubtedly seeking another win. However, when 2 goaler Roberto Rochelle had his chance, he played a faultless nearside forehand off the sideboards, and with a gentle tap in the direction of home, he clinched the first goal for team Grāff Capital.

Confident from their first chukka, Grāff Capital landed themselves very close to goal within opening seconds of the second chukka, only to be defended by Sébastien Le Page, Los Lobos. Play picked up speed, and the first 60 yard penalty was given to Los Lobos, converting it to their first goal, bringing the score even against Grāff Capital.

After yet another brief pony exchange, with both teams ensuring to not overheat their ponies, the third chukka was well underway. During the third minute, a further penalty awarded to Los Lobos resulted in another goal, bringing the score to 2 – 1. Facundo Kelly gained full ownership of the ball, and at speeds of over 30mph, and team Grāff Capital too far behind, he granted himself the opportunity to score the third goal for Los Lobos, closing the chukka on 3 – 1.

In the opening of the last chukka, Roberto demonstrated yet again how to score, and with the help of father and son duo Markus and Thommy Grāff defending off Los Lobos, Roberto notched a further two goals for Grāff Capital, making the game even. The coveted Zurich Championship was all to play for! Los Lobos had yet another opportunity with a 60 yard penalty, and Pierandrea Müller secured a much needed fourth goal. In a last minute attempt, Thommy Grāff, ridden off fiercely by Martin Podesta, travelled full speed down the pitch in hope of success, but time was up for Grāff Capital, as Los Lobos defended their title, winning the game 4 – 3.

After an exceptionally hot day for the 14th edition of this tournament, the players celebrated in the usual fashion, with a champagne shower, and guests enjoyed an afternoon Asado, in the much-needed shade of the clubhouse.

by: Rebecca Ponzio

Ranking:
1^st Los Lobos
2^ndGrāff Capital
3^rd BIO-R
4^th Banque Havilland
5^th Equilibrium
6^th Wascosa Polo