Team Gstaad Palace is victorious in the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Final 2013
The 2013 Hublot Polo Gold Cup concluded with a stunning finale as Team Gstaad Palace took the elusive title of 2013 Champion knocking Team Hublot in to runner-up position after an invigorating contest which ended 8-7. Third spot was claimed by Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA, winning the day’s earlier fixture by 7 goals to 6 ahead of Team Star Design.
The Final could not have been a fiercer fight between two incredible teams, Team Gstaad Palace and Team Hublot. The players and ponies jostled for the lead continuously with each taking their turn at the top. In the end it all came to a head in the final 30 seconds when Eduardo Menendez scored a spectacular goal off the back of a penalty taking Team Gstaad Palace’s total score to 8 goals, just one ahead of Team Hublot, and secured victory and the 2013 title for this consistently high quality team. This is the second time they have stood atop of the podium at the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad and it has no doubt left them hungry for the 2014 title.
The battle for 3rd and 4th position took place earlier in the day. It was an exceedingly intense match that went to a 5th Chukka decider. With the lead constantly changing throughout the match the crowd were enthralled and the result went right to the wire. The final decider came in the form of a magnificent golden goal by Marcos Riglos securing victory and overall 3rd place for Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA. Team Star Design put up a fierce fight but in the end had to settle for 4th place. Final score, 7 goals to 6.
Man of the match:
Pro – Santi Cernadas (Team Gstaad Palace)
Amateur – Cedric Schweri (Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA)
Top Goal Scorer:
Marcos Riglos (Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA) with 30 goals
Pony of the match:
Belon (Eduardo Menendez – Team Gstaad Palace)
This past weekend has seen four days of sizzling polo competition in the dramatic setting of Gstaad nestled in Bernese Oberland. It is therefore no surprise that the Teams, Spectators and Tournament Organisers alike are eagerly awaiting the 2014 edition – more information on the Hublot Polo Gold Cup can be found at www.pologstaad.ch, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pologstaad, or on twitter at www.twitter.com/pologstaad.