131st Argentine Polo Open Championship Concludes

Argentina continues to thrive with unforgettable moments of polo excellence as the year draws to a close. The 131st Abierto Argentino De Polo HSBC showcased an extraordinary lineup of first-class teams and passionate spectators. Let’s dive into the thrilling make-or-break matches of this prestigious tournament that had everyone on the edge of their seats.

Participating Teams 

The tournament began its festivities at the beginning of November. Tonnes of goals were scored, especially by the sides of La Dolfina Saudi, La Natividad, La Hache, and Ellerstina UAE Yellow Rose, making them quality contenders to win the Cup and reach the knockout stages. From here on, the games that decided the finalists were as follows:

Match 16: La Dolfina Saudi vs La Ensenada Dietrich 

Date: 24 November 

In its last legs, La Dolfina Saudi continued its dominating form against La Ensenada Dietrich. Both teams started well, but La Dolfina Saudi was a couple of points ahead by the end of the second round. As the third round commenced, La Dolfina Saudi rained down their mallets on the ball to score goals consecutively but also could guard their side to perfection! Ultimately, by the end of the fifth round, they were so far ahead that all efforts from La Ensenada Dietrich to make a comeback were in vain.

Winner: La Dolfina Saudi (20-7)

Match 17: Indios Chapaleufu vs La Aguada Catamarca 

Date: 3 December 

The next game featured a valiant fight from the side of La Aguada Catamarca against Indios Chapaleufu. Indios Chapaleufu had a flying start to the game, where they scored a dozen goals and built up a massive 9-point lead by the end of the fourth round. But La Aguada Catamarca did not lose hope and came back really strong in the last couple of rounds, recovering their score from a humiliating loss and bringing it up close to a dozen points. They put up a valiant effort and won many hearts but, unfortunately, couldn’t end their campaign with a win.

Winner: Indios Chapaleufu ( 16-11 )

Match 18: La Natividad vs La Hache 

Date: 3 December 

The highly anticipated clash between La Natividad and La Hache captivated spectators on the ground. Both teams approached the first couple of rounds with caution, allowing La Hache to seize a few opportunities and take an early lead. However, La Natividad meticulously studied their opponents’ strategy, countered their every move, and turned the tide to secure a hard-fought victory by a narrow margin of a few extra points.

Winner: La Natividad ( 12-10 )

Match 19: La Ensenada Dietrich vs La Zeta Kazak 

Date: 4 December 

The penultimate qualifier game offered a final chance for La Ensenada Dietrich and La Zeta Kazak to showcase their full potential for their fans. Rising to the occasion, La Ensenada Dietrich delivered an electrifying performance, dominating the field with fearless precision and scoring goals relentlessly. Their spirited display ensured a spectacular conclusion to their campaign.

Winner: La Ensenada Dietrich ( 16-7 )

Match 20: La Dolfina Saudi vs Ellerstina UAE Yellow Rose 

Date: 4 December 

The final qualifier game between La Dolfina Saudi and Ellerstina UAE Yellow Rose was an exhilarating rollercoaster, with over two dozen goals lighting up the scoreboard. Ellerstina fought back admirably after an early deficit, taking a two-point lead by the end of the fifth chukker. However, La Dolfina demonstrated their resilience and skill, making a remarkable comeback by scoring three goals in the next round to reclaim the lead. They secured their victory with an additional two points in the final chukker, delivering a thrilling finish to the match.

Winners: La Dolfina Saudi ( 15-12 )

Final: La Natividad vs La Dolfina Saudi

Date: 8 December 

Two of the most consistent teams were about to face off in the highly anticipated finals. La Dolfina Saudi had a great start to the game, where they scored five goals in the first two rounds, accompanied by a lead of three points. However, during the middle stages, they fell off and scored just one goal till the sixth chukker. La Natividad capitalised on this opportunity and amassed eight goals during the middle stages, putting them in a comfortable position to win the game.

Winner: La Natividad (13-11)