Argentina Polo Tour – Copa Nespresso
Confirmation that the Polo tour is establishing itself as a genuine event in the Argentine calendar was evident at today’s final of the second tournament, held on Palermo’s number one ground. While the pre-Christmas finals of the various regional cups may draw a crowd of fifty connected supporters, hundreds of people packed the main stands, with an impressive amount of young foreigners clearly here to witness their first serious polo match. With the exception of the open, most tournaments are free to watch on these hallowed grounds and with the added attraction of a free after party, the organisers insured a great atmosphere and no lack of young followers in their best summer attire.
Somewhat incongruously, given the youth of the average supporter, the two patrons were both veterans, La Picaza’s Tati Terrabusi a sprightly 60 years old, going up against Cabreuva’s Ricardo Portugal at 70. While very even, the match itself was quite poor, both teams giving away a lot of penalties by insisting on turning the ball and both failing to convert their penalties. Horsepower was reasonably impressive on both sides but teamwork was not, so the moments of brilliance showed in the individual runs and not the backhand ping pong that seemed invariably to reach the opposition player, not the team mate.
The tension mounted somewhat as the teams entered the final chukka at level pegging, 9-9, and Portugal managed to break free for a run, sadly fluffing his final shot, but a couple of solid goals (and I have to say a dubious call from the single umpire), saw Cabreuva pull away to win the Copa Nespresso by 2 goals. Portugal’s Manchita was awarded best playing pony. Champagne sprayed the senior patron and the party quickly shifted up a gear, with sponsors from vineyards to sushi restaurants ensuring a memorable evening for players and supporters alike.
Progression (Cabreuva): 3-1, 5-3, 6-6, 7-7, 9-9, 12-10
In the subsidiary final, the Copa Freddo, La Ginevra defeated Anaconda 12-9.
Teams
La Ginevra (16): Tomas James (1), Luca D’Orazio (0), Agustin Nero (7) and Juan A Garcia Grossi (8)
Anaconda (15): Anne Marie Van Gils (0), Pablo Llorente (4), Martin Aguerre (5) and Ignacio Taverna (6)
La Picaza (16): C Reyes Terrabusi (1), Mariano Uranga (6), Alberto Heguy Jr. (8) and Manuel Elizalde (1)
Cabreuva (15): Ricardo Portugal (0), Carlos Farinati (6), Matias Benoit (4) and Juan Monteverde (5)