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.
Gualtiero Giori Team Captain Gstaad Palace:
“The match was so close but in the end a beautiful victory! We took the lead in the initial chukka but then they came right back at us, it was a roller-coaster of a polo match! In the end, everything came down to the last 30 seconds, the suspense was intense – but this is Gstaad! This is our 4th Final and our 2nd win. The most memorable part of match was when we fought so hard to defend an attack from Team Hublot right on the line – we just about managed to get the ball away and in doing so we managed to score ourselves!”
Cedric Schweri Team Captain Banque Barin Brothers Sturdza SA:
“It was an intense match, very tight between the two teams. I am so pleased with today’s victory! Star Design beat us on Thursday so we were able to get our own back today! I am really happy with the way I played and I tried my very best not to get in the way too much of my team’s pro-players! I really do hope I get the chance to come back next year.”
