The finalists of the 112th U.S. Open Polo Championship were decided in yesterday’s matches at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
The first team to make it to the final was team Dubai, including 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso, playing with Rashid Albwardy (2), Alejo Taranco (6) and Facundo Sola (8). Team Audi, consisting of Marc Ganzi (1), Gonzalo Pieres (9), Rodrigo Andrade (9) and Freddie Mannix (7), showed a strong performance, but in the end had to accept defeat. At the start of the game, the two teams were balanced and at half-time, Dubai was in the lead by 7-5. In the fourth chukka, the Dubai began to dominate the match and increased its lead to 10-5. Team Audi fought on, but Dubai managed to stay in the lead and defeated Audi by 13-11.
In the second match, Orchard Hill, including Steve van Andel (0), Facundo Pieres (10), Julian De Lussareta (6) and Juan Martin Nero (10), faced White Birch with Mariano Obregon (7), Hilario Ulloa (9), Mariano Aguerre (9) and Peter Brant (1). The match went right down to the wire and needed an overtime chukka to decide the winner and thus the second finalist of the 2016 U.S. Open Polo Championship. In the second chukka, Orchard took the lead by 6-2, but White Birch caught up and the fourth chukka ended in a draw, 6-6. From now on both teams exchanged goals and at the end of the sixth and final chukka the scoreboard showed 8-8. This meant sudden-death overtime and in the extra chukka 10-goaler Facundo Pieres converted the deciding goal for team Orchard Hill. The foursome won by 9-8 and thus earned a berth in the final game.
The final of the 112th U.S. Open Polo Championship between Dubai and Orchard Hill promises to be a very exciting match, as both teams include some of the best players. The match will take place at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, located in Wellington, Florida, on Sunday, 24 April 2016, at 3.00 pm.
For more information about the U.S. Open Polo Championship, including ticketing and hospitality options, please visit InternationalPoloClub.com or call 561-204-5687.
Results:
Wednesday, 20 April 2016
Dubai vs. Audi 13-11
Orchard Hill vs. White Birch 9-8
Sunday, 17 April 2016
White Birch vs. Lucchese 13-12
Audi vs. Valiente 13-6
Thursday, 14 April 2016
Orchard Hill vs. Flexjet 14-8
Audi vs. Lucchese 8-7
Wednesday, 13 April 2016
Valiente vs. Coca Cola 11-7
Dubai vs. White Birch 14-6
Sunday, 10 April 2016
Audi vs. FlexJet 11-7
Orchard Hill vs. Lucchese 11-9
Saturday, 9 April 2016
White Birch vs. Coca Cola 11-10
Dubai vs. Valiente 9-6
Sunday, 3 April 2016
Orchard Hill vs. Audi 12-10
White Birch vs. Valiente 11-7
Saturday, 2 April 2016
Dubai vs. Coca Cola 14-8
Lucchese vs. Flexjet 13-11
The teams:
Bracket I
White Birch (26)
Mariano Obregon (7)
Hilario Ulloa (9)
Mariano Aguerre (9)
Peter Brant (1)
Valiente (26)
Bob Jornayvaz (2)
Santi Torres (7)
Tomas Garcia del Rio (8)
Alfredo Capella (9)
Coca Cola (26)
Gillian Johnston (2)
Sugar Erskine (7)
Julio Arellano (8)
Miguel Astrada (9)
Dubai (26)
Rashid Albwardy (2)
Alejo Taranco (6)
Adolfo Cambiaso (10)
Facundo Sola (8)
Bracket II
Lucchese (26)
John Muse (0)
Magoo Laprida (8)
Nico Pieres (8)
Sapo Caset (10)
FlexJet (26)
Melissa Ganzi (0)
Agustin Merlos (9)
Sebastian Merlos (9)
Nic Roldan (8)
Orchard Hill (26)
Steve van Andel (0)
Facundo Pieres (10)
Julian De Lussareta (6)
Juan Martin Nero (10)
Audi (26)
Marc Ganzi (1)
Gonzalo Pieres (9)
Rodrigo Andrade (9)
Freddie Mannix (7)