The 132nd. Argentine Polo Open Championship, continued on Saturday November 15, at Palermo. The most important polo tounament in the world is halfway the competition – time to focus on the upcoming league deciders as well as on those teams who need wins in order to either remain in the main draw of the 2026 Triple Crown and avoid the playoff; or, even worse, be dropped of next year’s most competitive polo trophy in the world
The opening match of the day saw La Zeta Kazak and Sol de Agosto; while the latter was in a better position, with a 1-1 record, things were a bit more difficult for La Zeta Kazak, who lost their two previous games, needed a win, in order to maintain their hopes alive.
Sol de Agosto was the dominant force in the first two chukkas – by the end of the second, they had an impressive 5-1 lead. But La Zeta Kakak outscored their contenders in the third, to remain two goals behind. Slowly, La Zeta Kazak bounced back until they managed to close the gap to just one goal (6-7) by half time.
La Zeta Kazak was earning enough confidence from the fifth chukka onwards – Pelón Stirling tied at 7-all, and seemed that nothing could stop them – a total of three unanswered goals in that fifth chukka, secured La Zeta Kazak a 9-7 lead, that continued in the sixth chukka, when they widened their advantage to 10-7. However, Sol de Agosto were back in the game in that sixth chukka, to remain 9-10 behind. But La Zeta Kazak had another ideas in mind – in the last second, Nico Pieres produced a remarkable goal, to give La Zeta Kazak a two goal advantage (10-8).
During the two last chukkas, La Zeta Kazak’s hard work against a tough Sol de Agosto foursome paid off. By the start of the eighth chukka, the French-Argentinian team were 13-9 up; until a fantastic 17-years-old Lorenzo Chavanne produced three unanswered goals to leave the deal almost said and done. And despite Facundo Sola and Juan Martín Zubía scored one goal each, the clock was running – at the end of the day, La Zeta Kazak won 16-11, their first victory that was much more than a first victory. La Zeta Kazak played a remarkable match against a tough rival, and managed to bounce back to achieve their goal. Mission accomplished for La Zeta Kazak, who maintain their hopes alive. Something to be decided in two weeks time against Los Machitos.
The second match of the day saw the contest between La Natividad La Dolfina and Los Machitos. A real challenge for the latter, since the Cañuelas-based foursome are having a sensational season, with their sights on their main goal – to claim the coveted Triple Crown.
Adolfo Cambiaso opened the scores at the beginning of the first chukka; Los Machitos replied quickly, through Torito Ruiz Guiñazu, but that was all. La Natividad La Dolfina seized the reins and took control of the match and the scoreboard, as usual, holding every attempt from Los Machitos back, who struggled to win the throw-ins and score. By half time, La Natividad La Dolfina had a commanding 10-4 lead.
There’s not much to be said about La Natividad La Dolfina – they play the way they like, they have fun and, in addition, they win absolutely everything (it’s worth to notice that they are still undefeated). No matter how difficult their contenders are – such as UAE or Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu,for example; La Natividad La Dolfina always have the trump card, to overwhelm whoever the rival is.
The second part of the match was another walk in the park for La Natividad La Dolfina; by the end of the sixth chukka, they were 13-5 up, and left the deal said and done in the seventh, 16-5. Jeta Castagnola and Adolfo Cambiaso added a couple of goals, to secure the 18-6 win, their second at Palermo.
The 132° Argentine Polo Open Championship will continue on Sunday November 16, as follows:
2pm: La Hache Cría & Polo vs. La Dolfina II
4,30pm: La Hache La Irenita vs. La Ensenada
THE FINAL OF THE 132nd. ARGENTINE POLO OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP IS DUE ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 6.
132nd. ARGENTINE POLO OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP – Teams & Fixture
Cover photo, by Matías Callejo/Prensa AAP.