Oh wow! What a weekend! So much fun commentating at the International Polo Cup 2024 30August - 1September. Six teams focused on making it into the finals, well turned-out ponies with spectacular moves, generous sponsors supporting their teams field-side. And the crowd - full on polo -passionistas, cheering the teams, clapping for individual brilliance and generally enjoying a summer weekend at Frankfurter Polo Club
There were some standout stars, of course. Segundo Copello, always a pleasure to watch on the field came out on Bailarina who, with her phenomenal acceleration showed her desire to win every play for Segundo. I LOVE this pony.
Then there was Justo Imaz on Pimenton who wowed us with 4 goals in under 4 minutes on the Saturday. He had the crowd roaring.
I kept referring to Raphael Oliveira over the weekend as the "wrecking machine" as he tore up the opposition's defense to get his teams into the finals.
Cracking weather on the Sunday brought families, friends, and fans to the field for the final day of this tournament. Deutsche Kinderhospiz Dienste had set up their stand with colorful balloons. There was pony riding, a jumpy-castle and crêpes for the kids.
HR 25/7 Catering provided antipasti and a well-stocked bar. Music was playing. We were ready.
The build up to the final was intense with the 2 games for 5th and 3rd place giving us a preview of what the final would be like - real crowd pleasers, fast and physical.
Spectators took me seriously when I said the game for first place between Beyond Capital and Château Purcari would be super exciting, scuttling back to their field-side seats with their drinks, to be ready for the march-in. The teams were escorted onto the field by Polestar Electric cars and given a huge applause as they were introduced. Justo Imaz, playing for Polestar was determined to impose himself on the game, but with Raphael Oliveira punching the ball away in defense and setting up Lenny Wolf for counter-attacks, Justo found it not quite so easy. This is when Mauro Erriquez came into his own, racing up the field to put the ball between the posts. The crowd loved it. They all knew Mauro. Fabian Stege combined well with Justo and Leona Liegat with Johanna Lux sharing position 1 both played significant roles.
It all looked bright and breezy for Team Purcari, but after half-time Beyond Capital came out with a differnt vibe or was it mind-set? Whatever it was, they started putting more goals on the scoreboard and Purcari were caught on the hop. Lupita Böttcher at position 1 went in for some powerful ride-offs and Beate Pfister at 2 was a constant support. The 4th chukker however saw Justo on his best pony, Cuartito, with grim determination wrtiiten all over both of them. Yes, two more goals and Purcari, to the delight of the sponsor, came in as winners 8 - 6 of the International Polo Cup.
Winners
1.Château Purcari Leona Liegat Johanna Lux Mauro Erriquez Fabian Stege Justo Imaz
2. Beyond Capital Thilo Bräter Lupita Böttcher Beate Pfister Lenny Wolf Raphael Oliveira
3. Radio Frankfurt Peter Cromm Leopold Cromm Carlos Sciutto Augustin Wagner
4. Polestar Britta Krane-Piltz Patrick Wentz Haider Ali Alexander Piltz Segundo Copello
5. Finanzvision Jürgen Schröder Markus Scheurs Christian Wolf Juan Correa
6. SwissLife Select Silvia+ Jona Nutz Daniel Theuerkauf Pato Canelo Nicanor Bruz
MVP Lenny Wolf
Revelation Prize Leopold Cromm
BPP Jasmine played and owned by Fabian Stege
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