The glorious sun began to shine just in time for the conclusion of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Tournament. Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds played spectacular polo to steal the title away from last year’s winners Team Gstaad Palace in a stunning final, winning by 5 goals to 3. The game was a fierce battle from start to finish. Both teams showed their sheer determination, as the riders and ponies jostled for the upper hand. Eduardo Menendez (ARG) displayed his envious skill, producing two impressive goals to give Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds an early lead. Team Gstaad Palace stepped their game up a gear in the 3rd chukka, creating some notable chances, only to be denied the rewards due to three unbelievable on-the-line blocks from Frankie Menendez (ARG). Victory was in sight for Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds as they entered the 4th chukka with a five-goal lead. However Team Gstaad Palace showed they were not willing to give up their title without a fight. Jeronimo Fanelli (ARG) scored three breathtaking goals to bring Team Gstaad Palace back into contention with two minutes still on the clock. The unstoppable combination of the Menendez brothers, who have been playing together since they were three years old, proved just a little too much for Team Gstaad Palace as Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds secured the victory and was crowned champion of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Tournament. The third place play off was decided by penalties, due to a waterlogged pitch as result of an excessive downpour of rain throughout Saturday evening. The atmosphere was tense for this unusual determining of 3rd and 4th place. Team Vicomte A.’s patron Michael Bruggler (SUI) stepped up to take the first penalty with a hard hit, allowing the ball to travel cleanly through the posts. This set the trend as Team Vicomte A. kept their lead in all three rounds. Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA stayed hot on their rival’s heels, trailing by just a single goal as they entered the final round. One shot away from victory Juan de Ezcurra (ARG) took his time, creating suspense among the spectators, an impressive strike through the posts, took his team to victory. The final score was 9 goals to 5. Most Valuable Player: Eduardo Menendez (Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds) Top Goal Scorer: Eduardo Menendez (Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds) Best Playing Pony: Coppola (Frankie Menendez – Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds) The Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Tournament has fulfilled its reputation of being one of the best high-goal tournaments in Europe. This past weekend has seen three days of magnificent polo competition in the picturesque setting of Gstaad. This year crowds were bigger than ever, creating a buzzing atmosphere throughout the Tournament. It is therefore no surprise that the Teams, Spectators and Tournament Organisers alike are eagerly awaiting the 20th edition in 2015 – more information on the Hublot Polo Gold Cup can be found at www.pologstaad.ch, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pologstaad, or on twitter at www.twitter.com/pologstaad. Quotes Vicomte A. Team Captain Michael Bruggler: “This penalty strikes exercise was a little bit unusual; it was a real mental challenge. Before the start I was nervous about it, but at the end I was satisfied with my personal performance, with 3 out of 3 goals." “This Gstaad experience was fantastic, I have played at a lot of venues in Europe but this is my first time in Gstaad. A special mention must go to Pierre E. Genecand who is doing an admirable job with perfect organisation throughout the whole event." E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds Team Captain Mohammed El Sewedi: “That was a really nice final. Despite the fact we had an early lead, we had to fight all the way to the end. From the first chukka we had to keep pushing really hard and Team Gstaad Palace came back really strong during the last chukka.” “Winning this beautiful tournament in Gstaad, is incredible, I am already looking forward to coming back again next year and defendingi our title.” Gstaad Palace Team Captain Gualtiero Giori: “It is a shame! Despite a strong final chukka we missed the victory. We were not lucky at all, hitting the goal posts twice but that’s the sport! We have enjoyed the tournament and want to congratulate Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds on their fantastic performance in the final."
The glorious sun began to shine just in time for the conclusion of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Tournament. Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds played spectacular polo to steal the title away from last year’s winners Team Gstaad Palace in a stunning final, winning by 5 goals to 3. The game was a fierce battle from start to finish. Both teams showed their sheer determination, as the riders and ponies jostled for the upper hand. Eduardo Menendez (ARG) displayed his envious skill, producing two impressive goals to give Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds an early lead. Team Gstaad Palace stepped their game up a gear in the 3rd chukka, creating some notable chances, only to be denied the rewards due to three unbelievable on-the-line blocks from Frankie Menendez (ARG). Victory was in sight for Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds as they entered the 4th chukka with a five-goal lead. However Team Gstaad Palace showed they were not willing to give up their title without a fight. Jeronimo Fanelli (ARG) scored three breathtaking goals to bring Team Gstaad Palace back into contention with two minutes still on the clock. The unstoppable combination of the Menendez brothers, who have been playing together since they were three years old, proved just a little too much for Team Gstaad Palace as Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds secured the victory and was crowned champion of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Tournament. The third place play off was decided by penalties, due to a waterlogged pitch as result of an excessive downpour of rain throughout Saturday evening. The atmosphere was tense for this unusual determining of 3rd and 4th place. Team Vicomte A.’s patron Michael Bruggler (SUI) stepped up to take the first penalty with a hard hit, allowing the ball to travel cleanly through the posts. This set the trend as Team Vicomte A. kept their lead in all three rounds. Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA stayed hot on their rival’s heels, trailing by just a single goal as they entered the final round. One shot away from victory Juan de Ezcurra (ARG) took his time, creating suspense among the spectators, an impressive strike through the posts, took his team to victory. The final score was 9 goals to 5. Most Valuable Player: Eduardo Menendez (Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds) Top Goal Scorer: Eduardo Menendez (Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds) Best Playing Pony: Coppola (Frankie Menendez – Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds) The Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Tournament has fulfilled its reputation of being one of the best high-goal tournaments in Europe. This past weekend has seen three days of magnificent polo competition in the picturesque setting of Gstaad. This year crowds were bigger than ever, creating a buzzing atmosphere throughout the Tournament. It is therefore no surprise that the Teams, Spectators and Tournament Organisers alike are eagerly awaiting the 20th edition in 2015 – more information on the Hublot Polo Gold Cup can be found at www.pologstaad.ch, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pologstaad, or on twitter at www.twitter.com/pologstaad. Quotes Vicomte A. Team Captain Michael Bruggler: “This penalty strikes exercise was a little bit unusual; it was a real mental challenge. Before the start I was nervous about it, but at the end I was satisfied with my personal performance, with 3 out of 3 goals." “This Gstaad experience was fantastic, I have played at a lot of venues in Europe but this is my first time in Gstaad. A special mention must go to Pierre E. Genecand who is doing an admirable job with perfect organisation throughout the whole event." E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds Team Captain Mohammed El Sewedi: “That was a really nice final. Despite the fact we had an early lead, we had to fight all the way to the end. From the first chukka we had to keep pushing really hard and Team Gstaad Palace came back really strong during the last chukka.” “Winning this beautiful tournament in Gstaad, is incredible, I am already looking forward to coming back again next year and defendingi our title.” Gstaad Palace Team Captain Gualtiero Giori: “It is a shame! Despite a strong final chukka we missed the victory. We were not lucky at all, hitting the goal posts twice but that’s the sport! We have enjoyed the tournament and want to congratulate Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds on their fantastic performance in the final."