Super Finals, Surprise Finish

Swiss Medium goal at Polo Park Zürich - always a party, always a pleasure and this year with an unexpected twist! The competition had started on the Thursday with the teams sorting themselves into slots for the finals day 22nd June. Sunday was set to be another hot day in this exceptional summer.

The game for third place started at 11am and spectators were able to check out quality cigars from Zigarren Kurier and grab a panama sun hat from Ecuardorian.ch as they entered the hospitality tent. Black Forest Polo displayed their sporting accessories alongside their unique gin, while Mövenpick Wines ,with a choice of over 3000 wines from around the world, was also a major sponsor. Almost a family reunion as we all get together while the staff of Tapas de Maria set up the paella-cooking facilities and pre-lunch finger food.

Out on the field Alpine Grace had a fast game against Gräff and Friends with Alpine Grace coming in at third place.

Lunch was served and this gave me a chance to chat to the crowd, answering questions about polo and setting up spectators with foot mallets.

The two teams set for the finals were being called by the umpires, Martin Fewster and Ed Judge, to come to field center for the throw-in.

Equilibrium vs Polo Club Zug

Daniel Aegerter with his team, Equilibrium, had a master plan. They were the defending champions and had a lot going for them, experience, expertise and pony power. Thomas Aegerter and his father always play well together, supporting each other. And this year they had teamed up with Manuel Gonzalez, an athletic young player, and, as in previous years, with that magic man Francisco Fucci, engine room for the team. Their opponent - Polo Club Zug, also a 6 goal team and also superbly mounted. Norman Watson put his young 2-goalers, Janik Oertli and Fermin Bilbao, at mid-field and Patricio Gaynor with his intense foacus and cunning defence ability at position 4.

Excitement crackling!! Two well-balanced teams one game away from a major trophy. For the first two chukkers all went well and as expected for Equilibrium. Francisco Fucci imposed himself on the game and established a predictable half-time score of 3 - 1. But what happened after half-time? Was it a pep-talk at the pony lines, a change of game plan? Whatever it was Team Zug came out of the break with an "all for one, one for all" attitude. Janik Oertli scored on Tormenta who's pace was phenomenal and slowly the game started to tilt in Team Zug's favor. Both teams within a goal of each other keeping the excitement levels fizzing. With Team Zug ahead, Daniel Aegerter broke away for a dash to goal. But the final whistle blew and Polo Club Zug was the unexpected winner of this year's Swiss Medium Goal

Prize-giving was a relaxed affair with Swiss Polo Association's President, Morgan Van Overbroek giving a thank you speech and handing over the prizes. Horsepower is a big factor in polo and the umpires were so impressed by the qualitiy of the ponies in this game that they decided to give Best Playing Pony to two ot them:- Cheta, played by Fermin Bilbao and Simon played and owned by Daniel Aegerter. Most Valuable Player was awarded to Janik Oertli.

There was still some paella left at the hospitality tent and so players, family and friends all settled down to a second sitting, toasting Polo Park Zürich for an enjoyable, well-run tournament. See you all next year.

Winners

Polo Club Zug:- Norman Watson, Janik Oertli, Fermin Bilbao, Patricio Gaynor

Equilibrium:- Daniel Aegerter, Thomas Aegerter, Manuel Gonzalez,Francisco Fucci

Alpine Grace:- Ann-Katrin Brändle, Anja Gutbrod, Nicolas Rogerson, Manuel Carranza

Gräff and Friends:- Markus Gräff, Richard Harris, Segundo Copello, Thommy Gräff

BPP - Cheta played by Fermin Bilbao/ Simon played and owned by Daniel Aegerter

MVP Janik Oertli

Photo Credit Luca Mortari