Colorado and Valiente To Square off Yet Again in Founder’s Cup Semi-Final
Both of the semi-finalists are undefeated in their Founder’s cup campaign and an extremely close match up is foretold for the 1st semi-final which is scheduled for Wednesday
27th February | Wellington, Florida
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The 1st semi-final match up for the Founder’s cup got set up when Colorado (Rob Jornayvaz, 2, Juan Martin Zubia, 2, Diego Cavanagh, 9, Jero del Carril, 7) were victorious with 14-6 against the team of Alegria (Juan Martin Obregon, 5, Jesse Bray, 6, Mariano Obregon, 6, Freddie Mannix, 8).
For the second semi-finalists, Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz, 2, Agustin Nero, 6, Santi Torres, 3, Adolfo Cambiaso, 10) posted a dominant victory with 13-5 over Black Watch (Juan Cruz Merlos, 5, Nacho Figueras, 6, Pite Merlos, 8, Tommy Biddle, 6).
The game between Colorado and Alegria was a lopsided affair as Colorado ran through the “Gauntlet of Polo” newcomers Alegria.
Colorado vs Alegria
Colorado was able to suppress Alegria’s offense and scored eight times in the initial part of the third chukker. Alegria opened their mark later in the chukker and got 2 goals in return to conclude the play of the first half at 10-1.
Alegria retaliated in the second half, displaying a more coordinated game but their efforts seemed futile by this time as Cavanagh and co. had already amassed a staggering lead.
"I think we had a really good game," Cavanagh said. "We scored really nice goals and played well as a team passing the ball. I think we can still improve more a couple of things but we played well. We knew they are a great team and they could come back," he added. "You have to keep going because if things go down they and you give them chance they will come back in the last chukker to win the game."
Colorado’s Del Carril scored the game-high 6 goals and Cavanagh and Zubia turned in 3 goals each.
Jornayvaz was also able to add two goals. Alegria’s Obregon led his squad from the front, scoring 4 times in the encounter. Mannix scored the remainder two goals for Alegria.
Valiente takes on the team of Black Watch
Cambiaso was truly incredible in the game; effortlessly controlling the possession and delivering accurate long, smooth passes to his team-mates. Cambiaso scored the game high 6 goals with Torres and Nero backing that up with 4 and3 goals of their own to total 13 goals for their team. For Black Watch, Biddle had a good showing, converting 3 goals from the penalty lines and one field goal. Figueras was only able to score once in the match.
"He's got a lot more gears," Jornayvaz said of his teammate of eight years. "That's what makes it fun. The way we have polo organized and the organization that Adolfo has built is incredible. It's knowing what the other guy is going to do and knowing their strengths and weaknesses."
Cambiaso also commented on Valiente’s performance post-match "Winning by a lot means that we played well. I am happy either Colorado or Valiente will be in the final. For sure it will be a tough game, they are playing amazing. At the end of the day, we will be celebrating anyway."
"That's the joy of having a team like any other professional team. You get to know the ins and the outs and what they are going to do. It makes such a huge difference. Trying to organize a different group of players every year is very difficult."
Jornayvaz is pleased with the progress the 26-goal World Polo League has made in just two tournaments.
The semi-finals will see the teams of Colorado and Valiente clashing for a place in the finals on Wednesday. The match will see father and son Jornayvaz go head to head.
"Unfortunately, he forgets I'm his father," Jornayvaz said. "Some of the most competitive matches we have had over the last several years going back to the first year I played against Adolfo back in 2011, it's a battle every time. It will be a good game."
For the second semi-finalists, Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz, 2, Agustin Nero, 6, Santi Torres, 3, Adolfo Cambiaso, 10) posted a dominant victory with 13-5 over Black Watch (Juan Cruz Merlos, 5, Nacho Figueras, 6, Pite Merlos, 8, Tommy Biddle, 6).
The game between Colorado and Alegria was a lopsided affair as Colorado ran through the “Gauntlet of Polo” newcomers Alegria.
Colorado vs Alegria
Colorado was able to suppress Alegria’s offense and scored eight times in the initial part of the third chukker. Alegria opened their mark later in the chukker and got 2 goals in return to conclude the play of the first half at 10-1.
Alegria retaliated in the second half, displaying a more coordinated game but their efforts seemed futile by this time as Cavanagh and co. had already amassed a staggering lead.
"I think we had a really good game," Cavanagh said. "We scored really nice goals and played well as a team passing the ball. I think we can still improve more a couple of things but we played well. We knew they are a great team and they could come back," he added. "You have to keep going because if things go down they and you give them chance they will come back in the last chukker to win the game."
Colorado’s Del Carril scored the game-high 6 goals and Cavanagh and Zubia turned in 3 goals each.
Jornayvaz was also able to add two goals. Alegria’s Obregon led his squad from the front, scoring 4 times in the encounter. Mannix scored the remainder two goals for Alegria.
Valiente takes on the team of Black Watch
Cambiaso was truly incredible in the game; effortlessly controlling the possession and delivering accurate long, smooth passes to his team-mates. Cambiaso scored the game high 6 goals with Torres and Nero backing that up with 4 and3 goals of their own to total 13 goals for their team. For Black Watch, Biddle had a good showing, converting 3 goals from the penalty lines and one field goal. Figueras was only able to score once in the match.
"He's got a lot more gears," Jornayvaz said of his teammate of eight years. "That's what makes it fun. The way we have polo organized and the organization that Adolfo has built is incredible. It's knowing what the other guy is going to do and knowing their strengths and weaknesses."
Cambiaso also commented on Valiente’s performance post-match "Winning by a lot means that we played well. I am happy either Colorado or Valiente will be in the final. For sure it will be a tough game, they are playing amazing. At the end of the day, we will be celebrating anyway."
"That's the joy of having a team like any other professional team. You get to know the ins and the outs and what they are going to do. It makes such a huge difference. Trying to organize a different group of players every year is very difficult."
Jornayvaz is pleased with the progress the 26-goal World Polo League has made in just two tournaments.
The semi-finals will see the teams of Colorado and Valiente clashing for a place in the finals on Wednesday. The match will see father and son Jornayvaz go head to head.
"Unfortunately, he forgets I'm his father," Jornayvaz said. "Some of the most competitive matches we have had over the last several years going back to the first year I played against Adolfo back in 2011, it's a battle every time. It will be a good game."
