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Worldchampion Team ES: Nico Alvarez, Pelayo Berazadi, Coach Benjamin Araya, Luis Domecq, Tuki Ruiz Guinazu, RFEP president Jose Trenor, RFEP dir deport Luis Benjumea
FIP Vice-
Foto @SNOOPYPOLO, Spain, Andalucia-
XII FIP World Polo Championship Silver Medalists: USA
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Foto @USPA / National Polo Center / FIP com teams
SPAIN ¨Campeon del Mundo de Polo¨, Worldchampion, defeating USA, 11/10 goals
with an incredible golden goal scored by Pelayo Berazadi
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(Luis Domecq, Nico Alvarez, Tuky Ruiz-
=> first ever European Team winning the prestigious Titel ¨Worldchampion¨ ¡! -
The Finals were set SPAIN vs USA -
Following a hard sellection, qualification games in the USA between the 8 world¨s TOP Teams (USA, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, Italy, Spain, Pakistan,Mexico ) and prior qualies cross the globe, 24 Nations participating -
only the 8 World s BEST Polo teams were allowed to compete the Finals in the USA, Wellington.
With Top Horses provided by J5 local organization -
Result:
SPAIN: Gold Medal
USA : Silver Medal
Uruguay : Bronze Medal
In a successful and monumental debut for the USPA-
The competition welcomed eight talented teams from across the world for ultimate international polo glory, including Argentina, Australia, Italy, Mexico, Pakistan, Spain, Uruguay, and the hometown team, the United States.
Outfitting the teams with official performance jerseys and equipment as the Official Apparel Partner and Presenting Sponsor, U.S. Polo Assn. is proud to join forces once again with the FIP World Polo Championship to promote the brand during the pinnacle of international polo competition.
Visiting teams arrived by Wednesday, October 26 and drew one of eight evenly-
Bracket play began on Saturday, October 29 and the competition officially started in grand fashion with the Opening Ceremony at NPC’s U.S. Polo Assn Field One, which featured a team parade in classic cars and plenty of sideline spirit from eager spectators.
Over the course of the weeklong event, USA, USPA (Agustin Arellano, Lucas Escobar*, Nicolas “Nico” Escobar*, Jacob “Jake” Klenter*, sub. Hope Arellano*, alt. Joaquin Avendaño, alt. Nicolas "Nico" Diaz Alberdi*) and Spain, Real Federacion Española de POLO, RFEP (Nicolas “Tuki” Ruiz Guiñazu, Luis Domecq Carrión, Pelayo Berazadi Rózpide, Nicolas Álvarez Cervera) rose to the top of the competition.
Effectively mastering their horses and executing stellar teamwork to drive continued success each country captured a 3-
In their opening match, USA triumphed 9-
A slight setback followed shortly after, falling to Italy 6-
In USA’s semifinal match, Hope Arellano entered the playing field substituting for Jake Klentner.
Making history, the 19-
Spain’s journey to the final mirrored that of the USA. An initial triumph over Pakistan 9-
Already qualified for the semifinals by record, Spain suffered a small setback in their third match of bracket play falling to Argentina 6-
All player of the Spanish National Polo Team, train EVERY YEAR their skills in World-
Foto GALLERY HERE
ShortFilms / Life Strreming Matches HERE
Prior to the Championship final,
Argentina (Joaquin Sanchez Herrero, Tomas Delfino, Marcos Panelo, Tomas Marin Moreno, sub. Gonzalo Santamarina, sub. Santiago Buzzi, sub. Estanislao Abelenda, sub. Bartolome Fermin Bayugar) and Uruguay (Gaston Magariños, Ignacio “Nachi” Viana, Santiago Stirling, Matias Carrique, sub. Mauricio Sanchez) met in the Bronze Medal match.
Securing the lead from the start of the game and holding tight until the end, Uruguay grasped the FIP Bronze Medal 9-
+ J5 Dolche (Open Chimento x Dulce), played by Uruguay’s Santiago Stirling, was named Best Playing Pony.
Uruguay’s third place finish capped off an inspiring FIP World Polo Championship run for the team as it was their first time ever qualifying.
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THE FINAL: USA vs SPAIN
Shortly after, USA and Spain met on NPC’s immaculate U.S. Polo Assn. Field One in front of a sold out grandstand crowd.
At the outset of play, an early Penalty 1 automatic goal in favor of Spain sparked momentum for the European team, with Tuky Ruiz-
Digging deep to take control of the game in the second chukker, USA’s Lucas Escobar maneuvered his way to goal twice, while his brother Nico capitalized on Spain’s mistakes to successfully convert two penalties. Agustin Arellano added one of his own to make it a stand-
Eager for a comeback in the third, Berazadi Rózpide and Ruiz Guiñazú combined for two goals each outscoring the USA.
Hammering down on defense, Spain held USA to just two field goals off the mallet of Nico Escobar. Effectively closing the gap between the two contenders, at halftime the USA led by only one, 8-
Both teams hoping to replicate early success, the fourth chukker featured intense play and impeccable defense. Each team only able to score once, Nico Escobar made the first move with Pelayo responding to prolong the one-
The fifth chukker serving as the final period of regulation play, Hope Arellano worked quickly to create more space between the USA and Spain with a field goal, but a series of mistakes from USA turned into game-
Pelayo Berazadi Rózpide first successfully converted a Penalty 2, followed by another from Luis Domecq Carrión, landing his chance at goal late in the chukker to put the game in a 10-
Fierce play on both ends kept the match going through the overtime chukker’s halfway point,
but a foul from USA gave Spain yet another penalty opportunity: which top scorer ¨la machina¨ Pelayo Berazadi Rózpide masterfully scored sending the ball high above the USA defenders to capture Spain’s first XII FIP World Polo Championship title 2022.
For his five-
His third and fifth chukker horse, J5 Matilde (Open Picaro x @Matilde), was also awarded Best Playing Pony honors.
A notable horse, J5 Matilde spent this past summer playing under Poroto Cambiaso at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club (Carpinteria, California).
Lucas Escobar, praising Pelayo Berazadi Rózpide’s leadership and Spain’s talent and teamwork, noted, “It was total war the whole game. They played amazing. We just couldn’t win it in the end. My hat goes off to them. They play really well with each other. Pelayo Berazadi Rózpide played amazing with the ball and the other guys work well for him. They have a really good system and it worked for them. We needed to stick to them just a little bit more,[but we’re happy to be here. We wanted to be here for our country.”
Extremely grateful for the opportunity to represent the U.S., Agustin Arellano reflected on the tournament, sharing, “I had the time of my life getting to play with my sister and my dad coaching and Lucas and Nico have been nothing short of incredible. To be able to play with two sets of siblings on a team and to have my sister be the first woman ever to play has been incredible.”
Also thankful to be involved and sharing how meaningful this experience was to her, Hope echoed, “This entire team has been such a beautiful thing to be a part of! I have met people from all over the world that will be friends for a lifetime. Thank you to everyone who made this so special, from the calls, texts, and the cheering on the sidelines. You have no idea how much it meant to all of us.”
An event that was years in the making, USPA Executive Director of Services Carlucho Arellano, similar to his niece Hope, expressed how meaningful the success of the competition was, especially after meticulous planning efforts. “One thing that I promised when the U.S. was still bidding to be the host of the world championship was that we would give the world the very best of the USPA—the very best horses we could find, the very best venue and the very best service. I think all of that planning really translates into good polo. When you do things well and organize things well, it has a trickle-
FIP Tournament Coordinator Felipe Del Sel, one of the many contributors who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help organize and execute the international event, also described his pride in being a part of the team to bring the FIP World Polo Championship to the U.S. “ I think that the event went smoothly and exceeded all expectations,” he explained.
“FIP and the teams were really impressed with all the attention to detail and the level of fields, horses and accommodation. It was the perfect event to present the National Polo Center -
Incredibly pleased with the U.S.’s performance and hopeful for our country’s future in international competition, USA’s Assistant Coach Jesse Bray reflected on the experience. “In two of the last three FIP competitions, the U.S. has finished in second place, both in overtime. I have been part of both—one as a player and one as a coach. I know we are very close to bringing home gold,” he shared enthusiastically.
*Nicolas “Nico” Diaz Alberdi, Hope Arellano and Lucas Escobar are Active Team USPA Members, Nicolas “Nico” Escobar is a Graduating Team USPA Member, and Jake Klentner and Jesse Bray are Team USPA alumni. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.
FIXTURE:
Tournament: FINAL: XII FIP WORLD POLO CHAMPIONSHIP 2022 :
Result: SPAIN 11-
Spanish National team:
hcp and (goals scored)
+ Tuki Ruiz Guiñazú 4 (3 goles),
+ Luis Domecq 3 (1),
+ Pelayo Berazadi 5 (6),
+ Nicolás Álvarez 2.
Total: 14.
US National Team:
+ Hope Arellano 2 (1 gol),
+ Agustin Arellano 3 (2),
+ Lucas Escobar 4 (2),
+ Nico Escobar 5 (5).
Total: 14.
Score Spain, 6 chukker: 2-
Umpires: Steve Dalton & Steve Evans.
Third man: Adrian Wade
BPP: J5 Matilde, played by Pelayo Berazadi.
FOTO GALLERY
here
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Game: THIRD PLACE, Bronce Medall, XII FIP World Polo Championship
Result: URUGUAY 9-
Team URUGUAY:
+ Gastón Magariños 1,
+ Mauricio Sánchez 4,
+ Ignacio Viana 5,
+ Santiago Stirling 5.
Total: 15.
Team ARGENTINA:
+ Gonzalo Santamarina 4,
+ Estanislao Abelenda 3,
+ Bartolomé Bayugar 3,
+ Santiago Buzzi 3.
Total: 13.
Score Uruguay: (0-
Umpires: Adrian Wade & Kimo Huddleston.
Third man: Hamish Bray.
BPP: J5 Dolche, played by Santiago Stirling.
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FIP WORLD POLO CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
– WINNERS -
1987: Argentina in Argentina.
1989: USA in Germany.
1992: Argentina in Chile.
1995: Brazil in Switzerland.
1998: Argentina in USA.
2001: Brazil in Australia.
2004: Brazil in France.
2008: Chile in Mexico.
2011: Argentina in Argentina.
2015: Chile in Chile.
2017: Argentina in Australia.
2022: Spain in USA.
FIP European Vice President 11.2022: Dr. Piero Dillier
FIP President 11.2022: Horacio Areco
Fotos: FIP / USPA / National Polo Centre / Globalpolo com teams, all rights reserved