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)
