The British Open Gold Cup kicked off on Tuesday, June 25, with two matches at Cowdray Park Polo Club, set in Midhurst, West Sussex. The tournament sees ten 22-goal teams fight for the most prestigious title in European polo. On the opening day, La Indiana and Murus Sanctus claimed debut wins.
First up, La Indiana defeated Monterosso 13-8, and claimed the trophy of the day, the Carlos Gracida Memorial, a tribute to the legendary Mexican player who won the British Open ten times, more than any other player in history. La Indiana has changed its lineup since the Queen’s Cup, and on Tuesday Marc Ganzi played instead of Michael Bickford, who is injured and unable to play.
Next, Murus Sanctus made an impressive comeback against VS King Power, scoring five goals in the fifth chukka to claim a narrow 12 a 11 win.
LA INDIANA 13 vs. MONTEROSSO 8
LA INDIANA: Marc Ganzi 1, Jimbo Fewster 3, Rodrito Ribeiro de Andrade 8, Facundo Pieres 10. Total: 22
MONTEROSSO: Alessandro Bazzoni 0, Juan Gris Zavaleta 7, Ignacio Toccalino 8, JoaquÃn Pittaluga 7. Total: 22
Score La Indiana:Â 2-3, 4-5, 8-6, 11-7, 11-8, 13-8
MURUS SANCTUS 12 vs. VS KING POWER 11
Murus Sanctus: Corinne Ricard 0, Facundo Sola 7, Gonzalo Pieres Jr. 9, Min Podestá 6. Total: 22
VS KING POWER:Â Tal Srivaddhanaprabha 0, Juan MartÃn ZubÃa 6, Polito Pieres 9, Marcos di Paola 7. Total: 22
Score Murus Sanctus:Â 2-3, 2-5, 4-6, 5-8, 10-10, 12-11
The Gold Cup resumes on Wednesday, June 26, with the matches:
2pm: Dubai vs. Talandracas (A3)
4pm: La Bamba de Areco vs. Park Place (Brooks)*
*It is not yet confirmed whether Adolfo Cambiaso will be playing in La Bamba de Areco instead of Pelón Stirling, who is injured. As Cambiaso himself told PoloLine exclusively, “I might play, it is a possibility, but it is not yet confirmed. Pelón has been injected and maybe able to play. We will know on Wednesday. If he is OK, he will play, so we have to wait and see.”
THE GOLD CUP FINAL IS SET FOR SUNDAY, JULY 21.
IMAGES:
LA INDIANA vs. MONTEROSSO
MURUS SANCTUS vs. VS KING POWER
Gold Cup for the British Open, Teams and fixtures