It is the final countdown for the 128th. Argentine Open. The finalists of the most expected championship match of the year will emerge this weekend, following the last league games due on Saturday December 4 and Sunday December 5.

Without doubts the 2021 Argentine Open has been one of the best of the last years so far. A successful and thrilling tournament that included several unexpected situations and, perhaps the best, put on display many new faces, young and talented players who demonstrated that are able to remain within the big leagues.

So, let’s give a look to what’s coming up in the weekend.

League A will be decided on Saturday. It is indeed the most complex of the two to decide the first finalist:

• La Dolfina will face La Irenita in the day’s opening match. The Cañuelas-based foursome need to win in order to advance to the final. In the event La Irenita wins, the latter will qualify for the 2022 Triple Crown or at least will earn a spot in the playoff against the winner of the Cámara de Diputados Cup. In this case, la Dolfina – who will have two changes, Alejandro Muzzio will sub in for the injured Diego Cavanagh once again, while Raúl Colombres will replace Pelón Stirling, on a precaution measure – must wait for the result of the following match.

• And the following match will be Ellerstina vs. La Ensenada. Although Ellerstina received a big blow after their loss against La Dolfina last Wednesday, it is not yet said and done for them; they still have a slight possibility to qualify to the final. In order to achieve it, the Pieres-Ulloa lineup must wait for La Irenita to defeat La Dolfina, and next up, they are obliged to beat La Ensenada. In the event La Dolfina wins, Ellerstina will be unable to get through the final; even if they win their match, La Dolfina will be the first finalist. With regards to La Ensenada, if they beat Ellerstina, the young foursome coached by Nachi Heguy and one of the nicest surprises of the 2021 season will earn the first ticket to the final, no matter the result of the day’s first match.

Unlike League A, League B, that’s due to be played on Sunday December 5, is easier to determine. Alegria and Chapaleufu will meet first. The loser will play the 2022 Qualification. And the next match will be“the” semifinal: RS Murus Sanctus vs. La Natividad. The winner will earn the second spot for the final, in a  contest that will have some extra spice – it will be the rematch of the Hurlingham Open final, that saw La Natividad victorious. RS Murus Sanctus remain unbeaten (they beat La Dolfina Brava last Wednesday in extra chukka), while La Natividad had a significant improvement in their performance, after their unexpected loss to Chapaleufu in their debut match. Indeed, a semifinal not to be missed.

The Argentine Open sees, ten teams up to 39 goals, compete. The final is set for Saturday, December 11.  

• ARGENTINE OPEN – SATURDAY DECEMBER 4 – PALERMO

2pm – La Dolfina Saudi vs. La Irenita

La Dolfina Saudi: Adolfo Cambiaso  10, Francisco Elizalde 9, Raúl Colombres 7, Alejandro Muzzio 8. Total: 34.

La Irenita: Santiago Loza 8, Segundo Bocchino 7, Ignacio Toccalino 8, Isidro Strada 8. Total: 31.

Umpires: Gastón Lucero & Gonzalo López Vargas.               

Third Man: Martín Aguerre.

4,30pm: Ellerstina vs. La Ensenada

Ellerstina: Facundo Pieres 10, Hilario Ulloa 10, Gonzalo Pieres Jr.  9, Alfredo Cappella 8. Total: 37.

La Ensenada: Juan Britos  9, Alfredo Bigatti 8, Juan Martín Zubía 8, Jerónimo del Carril 8. Total: 33.

Umpires: Martín Pascual & Guillermo Villanueva

Third Man: José I. Araya.

• ARGENTINE OPEN – SUNDAY DECEMBER 5 – PALERMO

2pm: Chapaleufu vs. Alegria

Chapaleufú: Rufino Bensadón 7, Juan Martín Zavaleta  8, Julián de Lusarreta 7, Felipe Dabas 7. Total: 29.

Alegría: Agustín Merlos 7, Pedro Zacharías 7, Tomás García del Río 7, Fred Mannix 7. Total: 28.

Umpires: Martín Pascual & Gonzalo López Vargas.                

Third Man: Federico Martelli.

4,30pm: RS Murus Sanctus vs. La Natividad

RS Murus Sanctus: Facundo Sola 9, Guillermo Caset  10, Pablo Mac Donough 10, Juan Martín Nero 10. Total: 39.

La Natividad: Camilo Castagnola 9, Pablo Pieres 9, Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 9, Ignatius du Plessis 9. Total: 36.

Umpires: Gastón Lucero & Guillermo Villanueva.

Third Man: Matías Baibiene.

128° ARGENTINE OPEN: Fixture & Teams