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Gstaad Palace reaches the summit

24 Aug 2025

In this spectacular setting, nestled in the idyllic Swiss Alps, the 28^th edition of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup ended this Sunday with a final full of flair. Four Swiss players took to the field, including team captain Markus Graeff, who led Gstaad Palace to a memorable victory.

Two Swiss and two Argentinians on the podium at the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad 2025: Markus and Thommy Graeff, Min Podestá and Francisco Fucci.© Justine Jacquemot / R&B Presse

At 1:30 p.m., the subsidiary final set the tone with open, fast-paced play between two teams determined to leave Gstaad on a positive note. Less tense than Saturday’s semifinals, the match unfolded in a spirit of true sportsmanship, with each team freely expressing their game.

Nicolás Pieres finds his rhythm

More comfortable on the field than in the semis, Nicolás Pieres (4 goals) found his rhythm and steered Team Kielder Agro Group to a narrow but meaningful 8–7 win over Adrian Laplacette Jr. (5 goals), ever inspired in his game reading.

“This was my first time in Gstaad and I hope it won’t be the last!” said the Argentine star after the match. “It’s just fabulous here, so beautiful… But the field is quite unique. To be honest, on the first day, I felt out of sorts;I couldn’t play my usual polo. But then I realized I had to play more directly. Now that I’ve adapted, if I come back next year, I promise I’ll play a very different game!”

The former 10-goaler will fly out to Buenos Aires tomorrow to prepare for the highlight of his season: the Argentine Open and the qualification of his Kazak team for the Triple Crown. “I’m pretty optimistic,” he adds. “It’s a team I really like, and this year with Pelón Stirling joining, I’m quite confident.”

Gstaad Palace: A family affair and a Podestá masterclass

The final started off cautiously, with players understandably showing a touch of nerves. But momentum quickly shifted in favor of Gstaad Palace, who took control and dominated throughout. Albinati Aeronautics struggled to break through a rock-solid defense orchestrated by Martin “Min” Podestá (7), with every teammate executing their role to perfection starting with captain Markus Graeff:

“It’s such a pleasure to play here. I’m the oldest player on the field at 73, and as far as I know, the next oldest is 20 years younger and most of them are between 20 and 30! I’m thrilled I could contribute… a little. I put this team together, and I’m proud of what we achieved. Playing here in Gstaad is wonderful. Each of my teammates played their part. I had my role to play, and I think I did it well. Like football, polo is a team sport. If I’m invited again next year, I’d be delighted to return.”

The captain’s son, Thommy Graeff, certainly did more than play his part, delighting the crowd with a stunning golaso

A winning pair: Min Podestá, best player in the final with his 9-year-old mare, Doma Simoca, best horse in the final. ©Justine Jacquemot / R&B Presse

Doma Simoca, queen of the day

No horses, no polo. Most players will tell you that 70% of their performance depends on their horse. For this tournament, Min Podestá brought six of his top horses from the UK. Among them, Doma Simoca, a nine-year-old grey mare, was awarded the Best Playing Pony of the Final.

And it wasn’t her first trophy: “She’s already won several BPPs, including in the Copa Cámara final and the playoff match for the Argentine Open,” explained Podestá, who was also named MVP (Best Player of the Final). “She’s generous, tireless — I can bring her back into the game two or three times without issue. She’s easy to ride and always gives her best.”

A touching tribute to an exceptional mare, bred at the prestigious La Irenita stud. For connoisseurs: she is by Clarín out of Irenita Nazarena, both outstanding polo horses in their own right.

A tournament like no other

There was something truly special about this Sunday in Gstaad. A kind of enchanted interlude where the noble toughness of polo met the gentleness of this alpine setting. Among the crowd were former team captains now returning as spectators and loyal attendees marveling once again at the beauty of the venue and the warm, relaxed atmosphere that defines the event.

This tournament is unique. And it owes much of its character to the man who has orchestrated it for the past twenty years: Pierre E. Genecand, a passionate and demanding host, loyal to his team and to a certain philosophy of event organization, blending Swiss precision, a love of sport, and heartfelt hospitality.

Thanks to him and to those who stand by his side, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup has become a one-of-a-kind stop on the global polo circuit: a top-level tournament in an idyllic mountain setting.

See you next year, from 20 to 23 August 2026.

TEAMS, SCORES & STATS

Subsidiary Final

Team Kielder Agro Group: Antonio Manzano (0, 1 goal) – Juan Pepa (2 penalty goals) – Bautista Bello (4, 1 goal) – Nicolás Pieres (8, 4 goals)
vs.
Team Hublot: Jürgen Schröder (0) – Antonio Grabosch (3) – Adrian Laplacette Jr. (6, 5 goals) – Juan Esteban Uribe (5)

Progression Kielder Agro Group: 1–2 / 4–3 / 6–6 / 8–7

Final

Team Gstaad Palace: Markus Graeff (0) – Thommy Graeff (3, 2 goals) – Martin Podestá Jr. (7, 4 goals) – Francisco Fucci (4, 1 goal)
vs.
Team Albinati Aeronautics: Luca Meier (1, 1 goal) – Patricio Gaynor (2) – Santiago Cernadas (7, 2 goals) – Fabian Bolanterio (4, 1 goal)

Progression Gstaad Palace: 1–0 / 3–1 / 6–3 / 7–4

Best Playing Pony: Doma Simoca, 9-year-old grey mare bred by La Irenita, ridden by Martin Podestá Jr.
MVP: Martin Podestá Jr.
Best Amateur Player of the Tournament: Juan Pepa, Kielder Agro Group
Top Scorer of the Tournament: Martin Podestá Jr. – 10 goals

Referees: Charles Seavill and Oliver Ellis

Two Fiery Semi-Finals Light Up Gstaad for the 27th Hublot Polo Gold Cup

23 Aug 2025

Unable to play on Thursday due to weather conditions, the 2025 Hublot Polo Gold Cup kicked off in spectacular style on Saturday. The tournament jumped straight into the semi-finals, taking over the perfectly dried and prepared grass field of Gstaad’s iconic airport. Under a welcome burst of sunshine and with four evenly matched teams (14-goal handicap), the tournament immediately reached full intensity. The crowd showed up in numbers to witness the finest polo in the Alps. The day’s verdict: Gstaad Palace and Albinati Aeronautics will battle it out for the title.

Min Podesta ultimately prevailed over the tournament’s top seed, Nico Pieres (in green).

© Pascal Renauldont / R&B Presse

Podestá’s Composure Outshines Pieres’ Prestige

The first semi-final lived up to its promise, with a fascinating clash of styles between two strong contenders. On one side, Team Gstaad Palace was orchestrated by a brilliant Martin Podestá Jr. (7), working in perfect sync with Swiss teammates Markus (0) and Thommy Graeff (3), and the efficient Francisco Fucci (4). On the other, Team Kielder Agro Group was led by the immensely experienced Nicolás Pieres (8), one of the most decorated players on the global circuit.

Gstaad Palace quickly took control, leading 5-2 going into the final chukker. Yet Podestá Jr., who scored a spectacular 50-meter golaso early on and netted all six goals for his team, remained cautious: “No match is ever easy. They had a strong line-up, including a former 10-goal player. We had a great start, but Nico Pieres is an exceptional player and Kielder came back strong, cutting our lead to one goal. We’ve played together at a similar tournament just last week, with the same players and horses. I brought my six best horses from the UK… But above all, Markus and Thommy did a great job and really helped us.”

His caution was justified. After scoring the first two goals for his team, Nicolás Pieres added three more in the last period. One more, and it would have gone to overtime. Bautista Bello came close to equalizing in the final seconds… but missed—breaking his mallet in frustration.

Albinati Aeronautics Triumphs in Overtime

Same final score, but a completely different storyline in the second semi-final, where Albinati Aeronautics, slightly behind for most of the game, pulled off a last-minute victory in extra time.“It was a very tough match; they had control for most of it,” admitted Santiago Cernadas, the team’s linchpin and scorer of the winning goal. “Our fouls really cost us, but in the end, it was on one of their own fouls in overtime that we clinched it.”

The decisive moment came from a smart play by the youngest player on the field, 16-year-old Swiss-Argentinian Patricio Gaynor, who drew a foul from seasoned opponent Adrian Laplacette: “He was unbelievable,” said Cernadas. “He knows how to hold the ball, make smart passes… really impressive.”

It was a last-minute lineup reshuffle for team captain Luca Meier (1), who had to make changes following several injuries, including his brother Fabio. But the chemistry between Cernadas (7), Gaynor (2), and Fabian Bolanterio (4) clicked perfectly. Meier will now return to the final for the second year in a row. Will this one be the charm?

Team Lineups & Score Progression

Semi-final 1

Team Gstaad Palace: Markus Graeff (0), Thommy Graeff (3), Martin Podestá Jr. (7 – 6 goals), Francisco Fucci (4)

Team Kielder Agro Group: Antonio Manzano (0), Juan Pepa (2), Bautista Bello (4), Nicolás Pieres (8 – 5 goals)

Score progression (Gstaad Palace): 1-1 / 2-1 / 5-2 / 6-5

Semi-final 2

Team Hublot: Jürgen Schröder (0 – 2 goals), Antonio Grabosch (3), Adrian Laplacette Jr. (6 – 3 goals), Juan Esteban Uribe (5)

Team Albinati Aeronautics: Luca Meier (1), Patricio Gaynor (2 – 1 goal), Santiago Cernadas (7 – 4 goals), Fabian Bolanterio (4 – 1 goal)

Score progression (Albinati Aeronautics): 2-2 / 3-2 / 4-5 / 5-5 / 6-5 (OT)

Saturday’s revelation: 16-year-old Patricio Gaynor did not hesitate to go into battle on Hublot’s pillar, Raul Laplacette, even provoking a decisive foul by the Argentine champion and securing victory for his team. © Pascal Renauldon / R&B Presse

Final Showdown This Sunday at 3:00 PM

The day’s winners will face off on Sunday in a highly anticipated final that promises to be explosive. At 1:30 PM, the match for third place will pit the two defeated semi-finalists against each other—each determined to end their campaign on a high note.

An event open to all, on site or remotely.

The Hublot Polo Gold Cup is open to the public throughout the weekend. An exhibitor village, catering areas and entertainment are planned to welcome young and old alike in a setting that is both chic and relaxed. So, see you at the grand final! Access to the tournament is free, and for those who cannot be there in person, it is possible to follow this prestigious tournament remotely.

Sunday’s finals will be broadcast live on Pololine TV

The scores will be posted in real time on ChukkerApp.

When Polo Grounds the Planes

18 Aug 2025

The countdown is on in Gstaad: in just two days, polo will once again take over the grassy runway of the resort town’s airport. As it has every summer for nearly three decades, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup is preparing to suspend traffic at this business airport to make way for a different kind of spectacle: that of some of the world’s finest players competing in an alpine setting where elegance meets sporting passion.

Sur l’aAt Gstaad Airport, planes and polo ponies rub shoulders. © Pascal Renauldon /R&B Presse

The tournament has secured its place on the international circuit thanks to a man who had already proven himself by revitalizing the Geneva International Horse Show: “Some events weren’t, or aren’t, organized the way I believe they should be,” explains Pierre E. Genecand, who has helmed the tournament for twenty years exactly. “That’s why I decided to do things my own way here in Gstaad, with a loyal team and a distinctly Swiss spirit that I have no intention of exporting.”

World-class polo on the airport grass

This pursuit of excellence extends to the sport itself. This year, each team will field a top-tier Argentine player, promising a spectacular level of play for the tournament’s 28th edition. “The highlight of this 2025 edition,” notes Genecand, “is the presence of a very high calibre of Argentine professionals across all teams, and that’s really the heart of the show.”

Leading the pack is Nicolás Pieres (8-goaler – Team KIELDER AGRO GROUP), the former back for the legendary Ellerstina team and one of the sport’s most decorated stars. Winner of the Argentine Open in 2012 alongside his brothers Gonzalito and Facundo, Pieres has played in eight finals at Palermo and boasts ten Triple Crown titles (Tortugas, Hurlingham, Palermo), not to mention victories at the US Open, the British Open, Sotogrande, and the French Open.

On the Team HUBLOT side, Adrian Laplacette (6-goaler) will be back in action after reaching last year’s final alongside the Meier brothers. Well at ease on Gstaad’s turf, he’ll be out for redemption on ground that feels like home, this year with German captain Jürgen Schröder.

Another standout this year is Martin “Min” Podestá Jr. (7-goaler – Team GSTAAD PALACE), a two-time winner of the prestigious Copa Cámara de Diputados – a title that grants access to the Argentine Triple Crown. Also in the mix, Juan “El Oreja” Jauretche (7-goaler – Team ALBINATI AERONAUTICS), a finalist of the same Cámara, rounds out a quartet of top-class talents that uphold the tournament’s stellar reputation.

Planes grounded, polo takes off.

While air traffic pauses during the matches, as the polo field sits directly beside the runway, an increasing number of the tournament’s partners now come from the private aviation sector. “We’ll have more exhibitor stands this year and more private aircraft and helicopter displays on site,” explains Pierre E. Genecand. A clear sign that the tournament, while staying true to its roots, continues to attract an ever more international and discerning audience.

The figurehead of the 28th edition of the Hubmot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad, Nico Pieres has won every major title on the planet, including ten victories in Argentina’s legendary Triple Crown. A legend in Gstaad! ©Pascal Renauldon/R&B Presse

An event for all: on-site or online

The Hublot Polo Gold Cup is open to the public throughout the weekend. An exhibitor village, food stands, and family-friendly activities await spectators in a setting that’s both chic and relaxed.

Don’t miss the team parade through the streets of Gstaad on Friday at 4:00 PM: a warm and festive moment where Swiss rural tradition meets the world’s oldest team sport.

Admission is free from Thursday onward, and those who can’t attend in person can still follow this prestigious tournament from afar:

Finals on Sunday streamed live on Pololine TV

Scores updated live on ChukkerApp

Polo at the summit of sport and elegance in Gstaad

02 Jul 2025

Polo returns to Gstaad for the 2025 edition of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup. Played on the legendary field beside the airstrip at 1,100 metres above sea level, the four teams will once again face off in one of the most breathtaking alpine settings in Europe. This edition promises also new heights in terms of sporting excellence and event quality, combining sophistication and warm hospitality.

Adrian Laplacette, a player who truly shines on the Gstaad field! © Pascal Renauldon – R&B Presse

A spectacular setting, an elite standard

Since 1996, this unmissable tournament on the international circuit has been the most prestigious polo event of the Swiss summer. The 2025 edition promises another series of thrilling matches with an exceptionally strong line-up. Before, after and between the games, spectators can enjoy the idyllic setting with luxury boutiques, Argentine food trucks, and a dedicated kids’ area. The event is free and open to all.

But of course, the real show is on the field. Adrián Laplacette (6-goaler) is well known to Gstaad’s audience. Finalist in 2024 alongside his cousin Raul and the Meier brothers, he returns this year under the banner of the title sponsor. German player Jürgen Schröder has called on the Argentine star, who feels right at home on this grass field beside the runway. Together with 5-goaler Juan Esteban Uribe and promising young German player Anton Grabosch (3-goaler), they’ll represent Team HUBLOT.

An outstanding headline act

And this year’s edition looks especially promising with the arrival of several of the world’s top players, all from Argentina, of course. Leading the pack is Nicolás Pieres (8-goaler), a former winner of the mythical Argentine Open in Palermo, the holy grail of polo. A finalist there eight times, he won the title in 2012 alongside his brothers Gonzalito and Facundo, and brother-in-law Mariano Aguerre. Between them, they’ve collected no fewer than ten Triple Crown titles (Tortugas, Hurlingham, Palermo). Nico has also claimed major wins at the US Open, British Open, Sotogrande Gold Cup, and the French Open, which he won two years ago.

The French Open was also won by his patron, Juan Pepa, in 2017 after an unbeaten season in France. Originally from Argentina and now Italian, Pepa is not only a talented 2-goaler but also a successful businessman and a discreet philanthropist. He will play for KIELDER AGRO GROUP alongside Tomas Garbarini and Antonio Manzano. Pepa is no stranger to Gstaad, having competed here back in 2016.

Martin “Min” Podestá Jr (7-goaler), winner of the prestigious Copa Cámara de Diputados in 2020 and 2023 (a qualifier for the Argentine Open), is another standout name in this year’s tournament. He will play for Team GSTAAD PALACE with Francisco Fucci (4-goaler) and Swiss duo Markus and Thommy Graeff.

Juan “El Oreja” Jauretche (7-goaler), also a Cámara de Diputados finalist, will be the key player for Fabio and Luca Meier, runners-up in 2024, supported by 5-goaler Marcos Rooney. Together, they’ll represent new sponsor ALBINATI AERONAUTICS.

A weekend of sport and lifestyle

Three days of top-level polo (Thursday, Saturday semi-finals, and Sunday finals) await all lovers of the sport, the mountains, and the unique art of Swiss living. Not to be missed: the traditional parade of teams through the streets of Gstaad on Friday. For nearly thirty years, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad has embodied sporting excellence, refinement, and conviviality in an exceptional alpine setting.

Team Hublot

Jürgen Schroeder (Germany, 0)

Adrian Laplacette Jr. (Argentina, 6)

Juan Esteban Uribe (Colombia, 5)

Anton Grabosch (Germany, 3)

Team handicap : 14

Team Kielder Agro Group

Juan Pepa (Italiy, 2)

Bautista Bello (Argentina, 4)

Antonio Manzano (Argentina, 0)

Nicolás Pieres (Argentina, 8)

Team handicap : 14

Team Gstaad Palace

Markus Graeff (Switzerland, 0)

Thommy Graeff (Switzerland, 3)

Francisco Fucci (Argentina, 4)

Martin Podesta (Argentina, 7)

Team handicap : 14

Team Albinati Aeronautics

Luca Meier (Switzerland, 1)

Pedro URTURI (Spain/Argentina, 1)

Marcos Rooney (Argentina, 5)

Juan Jauretche (Argentina, 7)

Team handicap : 14

An Alpine rendez-vous of sport and elegance

23 Apr 2025

Each summer, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad returns as a breath of elegance and sporting passion. The 2025 edition, taking place from August 21 to 24, promises once again an unforgettable escape — combining top-level polo, Alpine glamour and an international spirit of celebration.

© Kathrin Gralla – Der Rote Drache

Set at 1,100 metres above sea level, the tournament is played on the unusual setting of the Gstaad Airport, right alongside the landing strip — unquestionably one of the most unusual venues on the international circuit.
And no need to worry: air traffic is suspended during the matches!
For nearly three decades, this unique tournament has blended high-level competition with a refined art of living, all in a spectacular natural setting like no other.

Once again, four international teams will compete for the trophy — and, of course, for the coveted Hublot watches awarded to the winners — in a compact format: qualifying matches on Thursday, semi-finals on Saturday, and the grand final on Sunday.
It is arguably the highest-level grass polo tournament in Switzerland. The traditional team parade through the streets of Gstaad, a much-loved highlight, will take place on Friday.

These teams will be led by four distinguished patrons, including Argentine Juan Pepa, returning to Gstaad after first competing here in 2016. Despite what his nationality might suggest, he is not a professional player, but rather a team patron with a solid 2-goal handicap. In 2017, he achieved an impressive treble, winning the Silver and Gold Cups in Deauville, as well as the French Open in Chantilly. With his iconic team Cibao La Pampa, the London-based businessman also reached the quarter-finals of the prestigious Queen’s Cup in England last year. This summer, he has set his sights on Gstaad once again!

The Swiss brothers Fabio and Luca Meier, runners-up last year, and German Dr Jürgen Schröder, a finalist in 2022, also return with unfinished business.

Rounding out the lineup is Markus Graff, a Swiss entrepreneur active in the financial world and a regular figure in European summer tournaments. His team, Graff Capital, famously won the Ambassador’s Cup in Saint-Tropez in 2022.

Each of these four team patrons will wear the colours of one of the tournament’s prestigious sponsors:

The grey-blue of HUBLOT, title sponsor of the tournament and a symbol of Swiss horological innovation;

The red of GSTAAD PALACE, the iconic hotel of the “pearl of the Swiss Alps” and a loyal partner of the tournament;

The green of KIELDER AGRO GROUP, a major international agribusiness, winners in 2024 under the leadership of Swiss player Philippe Müller (absent this year);

And the white of a new entrant: ALBINATI AERONAUTICS, a key player in the world of private aviation, joining the adventure for the first time.

“We are delighted to welcome Albinati Aeronautics among our partners, further enhancing the international and exclusive spirit of the tournament,” says Pierre Genecand, the president of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad.

More than a tournament — a full experience by the field

More than just a polo tournament, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad is a complete experience: a VIP village open to the public, prestigious brand exhibitors, and refined cuisine orchestrated by the chefs of the Gstaad Palace. The traditional gala dinner, hosted by the legendary band Dora on Stage, will extend the magic of the tournament and get guests dancing well into the night.

On match days, spectators will also enjoy discovering the latest Hublot watch collections, Aston Martin’s newest models, and the world of private aviation, with several partner aircraft manufacturers, including Albinati Aeronautics.
Admission is free for the public throughout the tournament, with on-site dining options available.

Children will enjoy a dedicated play and activity area, including the much-loved Gstaad Palace bouncy castle.

The final will be broadcast live on Pololine TV, and all match results will be updated in real time via the ChukkerApp.

Teams 2025

19 Feb 2025

The 28th Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad is set, and four teams will battle for the coveted title:

–Hublot
–Gstaad Palace
–Albinati Aeronautics
–Kielder Agro Group

Who will claim the 2025 title? 🏆🔥 Save the date: August 21-24, 2025, and witness world-class polo in the heart of the Swiss Alps!

Newsletter 2024

07 Nov 2024

The Newsletter 2024 is out. You can view it by clicking on the link below.

Enjoy the memories!

Newsletter_2024

Kielder Agro Group: an English victory!

25 Aug 2024

It may not have been the most beautiful match of the week, but when the final is on the line the only appealing result is a win. Today, polo was a sport of strategy, combat, and patience: and Britain’s Max Charlton proved to be the strongest at this game. All the talent of Raul Laplacette could do nothing about it, despite being named best player of the match.

Kielder Agro Group winner of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad 2024: Nacho Gonzales and Max Charlton (left) Jaime Robert and Philipp Mueller (right) surround athlete Mujinga Kambundji after his return from the Paris Olympics. ©Der Rote Drache / Kathrine Gralla

It was a defensive final which, naturally, concluded with a low score of 6-5. It was unbearable suspense until the end, with each team returning goals blow for blow. With only two minutes left on the clock, a remarkable individual play by Raul Laplacette leveled the score once again, and with mere seconds to go, Max Charlton took advantage of another 60-yard penalty. It was the goal that ultimately determined the match.

“Yes, it was a tough fight played out on penalties,” the Briton admitted. “We won today because we were a little bit luckier than Gstaad Palace since both teams were on equal footing. But I’m particularly pleased to have won here, for Phillipp [Müller, his captain]. It’s amazing!”

J. Safra Sarasin landed on the third step of the podium.

Today’s opening match, the final for third place, was clinched by French captain François Okala’s team, donning the distinctive J.Safra Sarasin colors, after an action-packed second chukker. Argentinian handicap 6 Horacio Fernandez Llorente led the charge, capturing four goals. The “blues” dominated the match from start to finish, after measuring up the pitch they only discovered last Thursday.

“Actually…not quite,” Tete Fanelli was keen to point out. “This is the third time I’ve played here. I’ve been a finalist twice before but lost on both occasions. I thought this would be my year, so I’m not completely satisfied with third place. That doesn’t stop me from enjoying this tournament enormously—the organization, the environment, the atmosphere. So I’m looking forward to coming back here and leaving with the watch!”

So, maybe next year from August 21-24. The date has already been set for this one-of-a-kind tournament, whose teams continuously express their satisfaction before they return home. This edition was no exception, an extraordinary celebration of polo that couldn’t possibly be spoiled by a little cold on Sunday.

Final for 3rd & 4th place

J. Safra Sarasin: Françoise Okala 0, Bautista Fanelli 3 (2 goals), Horacio
Fernandez Llorente 6 (4 goals) and Tete Fanelli 5 (2 goals)

Hublot: Jurgen Schröder 0 (1 goal), Juan Correa 3 (3 goals), Pedro Fernandez
Llorente 5 (1 goal), Manuel Fernandez Llorente 6 (1 goal)

Progression J. Safra Sarasin: 3-1 / 7-2 / 8-3 and 8-6

FINALE

Gstaad Palace: Fabio Meier 1 (1 goal), Luca Meier 1, Adrian Laplacette 6 (1 goal) et
Raul Laplacette 6 (3 goals)

Kielder Agro Group: Philipp Mueller 0, Jaime Robert 3 (1 goal) Nacho Gonzales
4(1 goal) and Max Charlton 6 (4 goals)

Progression Kielder Agro Group: 1-1 / 2-2 / 4-4 et 6-5

Tournament top scorer: Max Charlton (Kielder Agro Group) with 17 goals
Best professional player of the final: Raul Laplacette (Gstaad Palace)
Best amateur player: Luca Meier (Gstaad Palace)
Best horse of the final: Germania, a 9-year-old bay mare bred in Argentina by Colo
Germano, owned by Fabio Meier and played by Raul Laplacette

Semi-finals: a battle to the bitter end. Gstaad Palace and Kielder Agro Group advance to the final.

24 Aug 2024

The Hublot Polo Gold Cup 2024 semi-finals certainly lived up to expectations in terms of suspense, for none of the semi-finalists managed to dominate their matches. For both, the outcome remained undecided until the final moments, yet they were two matches with very different faces.

The game between Gstaad Palace and Hublot was one of considerable offense, while the other between Kielder Agro Group and J.Safra Sarasin was rather defensive. Paradoxically, there were more goals in the latter, but the truth is most of these goals were scored on penalties. For Gstaad Palace, the chemistry between the Meier brothers and Laplacette cousins proved, once again, to be an effective advantage.

Even so, it was a fierce battle until the final moments, as Gstaad Palace’s top scorer, Switzerland’s Luca Meier pointed out: “The last minute was very long when Hublot came back into the game. We made a lot of mistakes, and that was our problem. Our luck ran dry and we won by a small goal, 7-6…but yes, that last minute was tough. I’m happy to have scored those four goals, although it was more complicated today because the pitch was more coarse than yesterday when I scored three. The ball was harder to control because it was bouncing all over the place, but it turned out well in the end.”

The Gstaad Palace striker was keen to highlight Raul Laplacette’s role in their victory: “Since he’s won the last two editions of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup, we thought it would be a good idea to recruit him this year. It’s very natural to play with the Laplacettes. We’ve known them since we were kids because in Argentina we have our polo facilities in the same village, in Lobos, so we’ve always rubbed shoulders”.

More complicated than expected for England’s Max Charlton and Kielder Agro Group against Tete Fanelli and J. Safra Sarasin, he nevertheless secured his place in the final ©R&B Presse / P.Renauldon

In the following semi-final, the key player was Max Charlton. The Englishman had a slightly different strategy in this game compared to Raul Laplacette, turning up the pressure cooker by forcing himself and his teammates to stay as close to their opponents as possible in an effort to provoke a foul. This approach proved to be successful, albeit rather crowded, and their win today didn’t come as easily as it had on Thursday, as J.Safra Sarasin’s opposition was stronger than expected.

“We were confident but it was a complicated victory in the end,” captain Philipp Müller admitted. “First, it took us a while to get the right rhythm. Everything went pretty well after that, but we realized that we couldn’t take anything for granted in the last chukker. They leveled our score at less than a minute and then a penalty was whistled in our favor. That is what ultimately saved us. It was an intense match with a lot of fouls, and maybe not the most beautiful match, but the main thing is to be in the final.”

This final will be a dual between Swiss captains!

See you on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. for the final between these two teams who have yet to meet: and we are on the edge of our seats. Who will be the four players to leave Gstaad donning a magnificent Hublot watch on their wrist? We’ll have the answer around 4:00 p.m. tomorrow. The final will be preceded by the third-place play-off at 1:30 p.m.

Match 1

Gstaad Palace: Fabio Meier 1, Luca Meier 1 (4 goals), Adrien Laplacette 6 (2 goals) and Raul Laplacette 6 (1 goals)

Hublot: Jurgen Schröder 0 (3 goals), Juan Correa 3 (1 goal), Pedro Fernandez Llorente 5 (2 goals), Manuel Fernandez Llorente 6

Progression Gstaad Palace: 3-2 / 5-2 / 6-3 et 7-6

Match 2

Kielder Agro Group: Philipp Mueller 0, Jaime Robert 3 (2 goals) Nacho Gonzales 4 and Max Charlton 6 (7 goals)

J. Safra Sarasin: Françoise Okala 0, Bautista Fanelli 3 (1 goal), Horacio Fernandez Llorente 6 (1 goals) and Tete Fanelli 5 (6 goals)

Progression Kielder Agro Group: 0-2 / 3-4 / 7-6 / 9-8

Two favorites emerge amongst an abundance of goals

22 Aug 2024

Press Release, Thursday August 22, 2024

Gstaad got off to a flying start today with the first two qualifying matches of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup 2024, featuring exceptional polo in the unique setting of Gstaad-Saanen airport, surrounded by the verdant mountains that are the hallmark of this singular pitch.

The first match challenged J. Safra Sarasin, pitting Frenchwoman Françoise Okala against the Gstaad Palace team of Swiss brothers, Fabio and Luca Meier, and Argentine cousins, Raul and Adrian Laplacette. Raul holds the advantage, well acquainted with the terrain and its specific dimensions after having triumphed here in both 2022 and 2023. The Meier brothers are naturally quite familiar with each other, as are the Laplacette cousins. All things considered, this is undoubtedly what made the difference when Gstaad Palace achieved the first breakaway in the second chukker at 6-4. The team kept up the pace until the very end of the first match, winning hands down. J. Safra Sarasin didn’t lose out, but they needed time to adapt: Laplacette was one step ahead.

It was a different story for the second encounter between Kielder Agro Group, captained by Switzerland’s Philipp Mueller, and Hublot, led by Germany’s Jurgen Schröder. The outcome was uncertain for the better part of the match, putting forth a more defensive game: 5 ½ to 5 at the end of the third period where Max Charlton shifted up a gear and scored 3 goals in the first three minutes of play. Jamie Roberts then added to the tally, capturing a ninth goal in the final minutes, while the Hublot men remained mute.

See you tomorrow in the streets of Gstaad at 4:00 p.m. for the traditional team parade: a rest day for the horses ahead of Saturday’s semi-finals.

Match 1

Gstaad Palace : Fabio Meier 1, Luca Meier 1 (3 goals), Adrien Laplacette 6 (3 goals) and Raul Laplacette 6 (4 goals)

J. Safra Sarasin : Françoise Okala 0, Bautista Fanelli 3 (1 goal), Horacio Fernandez Llorente 6 (3 goals) and Tete Fanelli 5 (2 goals)

Progression Gstaad Palace: 2-3 / 7-4 / 8-4 and 10-6

Match 2

Hublot : Jurgen Schröder 0 , Juan Correa 3 (1 goal), Pedro Fernandez Llorente 5 (3 goals), Manuel Fernandez Llorente 6 (1 goals)

Kielder Agro Group: Philipp Mueller 0, Jaime Robert 3 (2 goals) Nacho Gonzales 4 (1 goal) and Max Charlton 6 (6 goals)

Progression Kielder Agro Group : (½ goal advantage) 1 ½ -2 / 3 ½ -3 / 5 ½ -5 / 9 ½ -5