Italy earned a narrow 9-8 win over former title holders, Occitanie and ran out the champions of the Polo Nations Cup Barnes, in the final that took place on Friday July 3, at the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly, in La Ferme d’Apremont, in the outskirts of Paris, France. While Occitanie aimed at their third consecutive Nations Cup, Italy, who had the title within their grasp in the two previous editions – they lost the final in 2024 and fell in semifinals in 2025 – were able to do it in 2026.

The competition saw ten teams up to 12 goals, partake, and fixtures had to be rescheduled due to the heatwave in Europe.

Italy and Occitanie played a very hard fought contest. Although the former took a quick 3-0 lead in the first chukka, Occitanie bounced back – they closed the gap to 4-2 and 5-4 in the second and third chukka, respectively, until the scoreboard read a 6-all in the fourth chukka. Following a very intense last chukka, Italy, led by a determined Riccardo Paganelli and very well supported by his team mates, were able to seal the deal and claimed the 9-8 win, that secured them the much awaited title of the tournament that is the highlight of the 12-goal spring season in France.

NATIONS POLO CUP BARNES – FINAL – FRIDAY JULY 3

ITALY 9-8 OCCITANIE

Italy: Riccardo Paganelli 0 (1 goal), Tomás Delfino 5 (3), Bautista Fanelli 3 (1), Jerónimo Fanelli 4 (4, 2 penalties). Total: 12.

Occitanie: Isabelle Larenaudie 0, Elouan Badarello 2, Simón Zavaleta 6 (6 goals, 2 penalty), Ramiro Zavaleta 4 (2). Total: 12.

Score Italy: 3-0, 4-2, 5-4, 6-6, 9-8.

Umpires: Rafael Silva & Clément Gosset.

Third man: Santiago Estella.

Softshield Professional MVP: Tomás Delfino.

Drimmer Amateur MVP: Riccardo Paganelli.

BPP: GT Troya (Tanoira breeding), owned and ridden by Simón Prado.

Best Polo Argentino Bred, presented by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Assn.: Irenita Gritona (Los Machitos Libano x Power Pimpinela), bred by the MacDonough family, ridden and owned by Tomás Delfino.