Blog Post
La Natividad Win Argentine Open
- By Polo Times
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- 14 Dec, 2021
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Cambiaso’s winning streak thwarted
On Saturday 11 December, history was made in Palermo as youth triumphed over experience in The 128th HSBC Argentine Open Final between La Natividad and La Dolfina Saudi. Going into the Final, the teams were poles apart in Argentine Open Final experience, with La Natividad entering their first ever Argentine Open Final, while for La Dolfina it was their 21st Final out of 22 in the team’s history (it was only in 2004 that La Dolfina did not feature in The Argentine Open Final), with 14 wins and seven losses over that time. meanwhile the individual player statistics were similarly stark, with Adolfo Cambiaso holding 17 titles and Pelon Stirling nine, while the La Natividad players had each yet to claim the illustrious title.
With a sensational game by Barto, author of six goals, the effectiveness of his brother Jeta in the execution of fouls (the tournament's top scorer), the solidity of Nachi Du Plessis and the strength of Polito Pieres, La Natividad achieved a sensational triumph that will remain in the history of polo after breaking La Dolfina Saudi’s eight year winning streak. 2021 has been an unusual year for La Dolfina as they have not achieved a single Triple Crown title, with La Natividad winning The Hurlingham Open and Argentine Open and Ellerstina securing The Tortugas Open.
It is therefore little surprise to see Jeta, Barto and Polito all raised to 10 goals, read more about this below.
An exciting new chapter of Argentine polo talent is upon us and we can’t wait to watch more!
A full report, including the post-match awards, will be included in our December/January issue – why not click here to gift a copy to a friend for Christmas?
Photograph: La Natividad, winners of The 128th HSBC Argentine Open. By Matias Callejo
Text: Courtesy of Polo Times - for the polo purist