The fresh mountain air inspired the players of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup today as they offered the public two beautiful games that were all the more closely fought as they could act as a semi-final if the weather conditions do not allow to play on Saturday. Two players stood out this afternoon on the “cancha” of the Saanen airfield: the Argentinians Bautista Beguerie and Raul Laplacette.

In the first game, the team wearing the green colors of the new partner of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup, Kielder Agro, made an impressive entrance by dominating the Hublot team thanks to Bautista Beguerie who was running everywhere. His five goals (top scorer of the day) gave his team a 7 1/2 goal lead at the end of the third chukker. Then Hublot caught up proving that they still have a role to play in this tournament where anything is possible as all four teams will be semi-finalists on Saturday (weather permitting).In the second game, Gstaad Palace held their own against Clinique La Prairie. But the lack of success on the penalty shots of Brazilian Joao Novao and the inspiration of Raul Laplacette, well supported by Lucas Labat, on the opposite side, allowed Sébastien Le Page’s team to take off in the third period. A beautiful game, very fluid, with spectacular actions, “golassos” by Laplacette, that was played quickly.We will have to wait until Saturday to see all these artists at work again during the semi-finals (1:30 pm and 3:00 pm) and the game is not over yet. In the meantime, let’s meet tomorrow in the streets of Gstaad for the traditional and picturesque parade of the teams accompanied by the local folklore. A delicious and popular moment without which the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad would not be the Hublot Polo Gold Cup!

Teams and progression:

First game:

Team Hublot: Marco Maximilian Elser (0), Goffredo Cutinelli-Rendina (3), Teo von Neufforge (5), Pedro Fernandez Llorente (5)

Team Kielder Agro: Fabio Meier (1), Luca Meier (1), Bautista Beguerie (5), Ezequiel Martinez-Ferrario (7)

Progression Kielder Agro: (advantage ½ goal for Hublot) 1/1½ – 6/2½ – 10/2½ and 11/7½

Second game:

Team Gstaad Palace: Cedric Schweri (0), Joao Novaes (5), Tomi Astelarra (3), Dario Musso (5)

Team Clinique La Prairie: Sébastien Le Page (0), Lucas Labat (5), Facundo Kelly (3), Raul Laplacette (6)

Progression Clinique La Prairie : (advantage ½ goal for Gstaad Palace) 1/1½ – 2/3½ – 5/3½ and 9/5½