1st FIP Arena Polo European Championship Azerbaijan: Historical Victory
Team Azerbaijan is the surprise winner of the 1st FIP Arena Polo
European Championship in Baku. In December, Azerbaijan applies for the
FIP Arena Polo World Championship in 2017
Unbeaten throughout the whole tournament, the Azeri team with Silvestre Garros, Elchin Jamalli and Tarlan Gurbanaliyev defeated Germany by 6-5. The match was not defined until the last seconds of the fourth chukka. Patrick Maleitzke, Philipp and Oliver Sommer and Niklas Steinle were tough opponents. Both teams showed outstanding polo at the Elite Horse and Polo Club Bina. Silvestre Garros was the top scorer of the tournament with 38 goals. Patrick Maleitzke from Germany was second after scoring 30 times. “Coca Cola” played by Patrick Maleitzke was awarded as the “Best Playing Pony” of the final. From 4-12 September 2015, six teams from Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and a local team from Azerbaijan competed against each other to win the title of the 1st FIP Arena Polo European Championship.
Alongside the Equestrian Federation of Azerbaijan Republic (ARAF) the tournament was organised by the organisation team of World Polo. Now Reto Gaudenzi of World Polo has been appointed by General Elcin Guliyev (President ARAF) as the official representative of ARAF for international polo relations. Gaudenzi: „We experienced great sport and friendship in a tough competition. The atmosphere was vibrant due to the large attendance of spectators. Thanks to the players and coaches for their cooperation in a great polo spirit!“
Next year an Arena Polo World Cup will be held at Baku again. Four teams will attend the tournament of four days’ duration. Then Reto Gaudenzi, who is as well the organiser of the world-renowned Snow Polo World Cup in St. Moritz, brings together the unique locations of Baku and St. Moritz. “We will stage a glamorous and traditional St. Moritz Night in Baku.” The legendary hotel Badrutt’s Palace in St. Moritz will offer a special accommodation package for the duration of the Snow Polo World Cup from 30th January to 1st February 2015.
In December, Azerbaijan will apply for hosting the FIP Arena Polo World Championship in 2017. “The construction of four new full size grass polo fields is underway,” says Reto Gaudenzi. Two in Baku and two more in Gebele, which is located at an altitude difference of 1,500 metres. There the climatic conditions for the horses are more bearable in the hot summer season. The new polo school in Baku continues its work all year long and the attempt to bring more and more Karabach horses into the sport of polo proceeds.
RANKING:
#1 AZERBAIJAN
#2 GERMANY
#3 IRELAND
#4 SPAIN
#5 SWITZERLAND
#6 ITALY
RESULTS:
Friday, September 4th
GERMANY vs. AZERBAIJAN
7 – 9
SPAIN vs. ITALY
10 – 4.5
SWITZERLAND vs. IRELAND
6.5 – 9
Saturday, September 5th
ITALY vs. AZERBAIJAN
6.5 – 12
SWITZERLAND vs. SPAIN
3.5 – 8
IRELAND vs. GERMANY 2.5 – 5
Sunday, September 6th
SWITZERLAND vs. ITALY
11 – 1
GERMANY vs. SPAIN
8 – 5
IRELAND vs. AZERBAIJAN 4.5 – 7
Thursday, September 10th
AZERBAIJAN vs. SWITZERLAND 11 – 6.5
ITALY vs. GERMANY 3 – 5
IRELAND vs. SPAIN 8.5 – 6
Friday, September 11th
GERMANY vs. SWITZERLAND 7 – 4.5
SPAIN vs. AZERBAIJAN 3 – 9
ITALY vs. IRELAND 5 – 3.5
Saturday, September 12th
ITALY vs. SWITZERLAND 5 – 7.5
IRELAND vs. SPAIN 4.5 – 4
AZERBAIJAN vs. GERMANY 6 – 5
TEAMS:
