Action Packed Semi-Finals at the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad
The second day of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup in Gstaad saw two enthralling semi-final matches, with the players and ponies treating the enthusiastic crowd to a top class Polo spectacle. Team Gstaad Palace came out on top in the earlier match, beating Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA 10-5. In the second semi-final Team Hublot scorched to victory ahead of Team Star Design by 9 goals to 4.
Despite the superb performance of Argentine Marcos Riglos, who scored all 5 of his team’s goals, Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA had to settle for second place behind Team Gstaad Palace. A true team effort saw all 4 Gstaad Palace players make their mark on the score sheet – Gualtiero Giori (ITA) and Eduardo Menendez (ARG) finished with four each, and Riccardo Tattoni (ITA) and Santi Cernandas (ARG) made it a victorious 10, by adding a further goal apiece.
Team Hublot claimed victory and secured their place in tomorrow’s Final thanks to their feisty performance this afternoon. Argentinians Francisco Fucci and Salvatore Jauretche scored three goals respectively, whilst fellow countryman, Gonzalo Fucci added a further two. Team Captain Daniel Aegerter (SUI), playing on home turf, also contributed one goal to the final score. Team Star Design put up a stellar fight with two goals each for both Nicolas Ruiz Guinazu (ARG) and the tournaments top ranked player, Brazilian Olavo Novaes (Hcp. 8) but it simply wasn’t enough to see them through to compete for the overall title tomorrow – final score, 9 goals to 4.
Team Gstaad Palace will now face Team Hublot in tomorrow’s Final at 15:00 to determine which Team will be crowned the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad 2013 Champion. Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA play Team Star Design in the 3rd place playoff at 13:30.