New Trophy, New Champions

A final day straight out of a storybook – under bright sunshine, spectators enjoyed four thrilling polo matches.

In the AIX Cup (playoff for 7th place), Team Bentley, featuring birthday boy Stefan Cozma alongside Argentinians Juan Martin Sarli and Ignacio Boronat, faced Team Engel & Völkers in the morning. Agustin Kronhaus delivered an immediate wake-up call for both opponents and spectators with an early goal just seconds into the match. His teammates Jan-Hendrik Többe (team captain) and Adrian Laplacette Jr. were also fully alert despite the early start and secured a clear 8–4.5 victory.

In the battle for third place, the Kitzbühel Cup, the match plan of Otto Blank, Lukas Sdrenka and Max Charlton (Team S. Pellegrino) proved successful against Alana Savoir, Elcin Jamali and Pelayo Berazardi (Team Azerbaijan). Despite starting the match with a deficit due to the opponents’ higher handicap, they claimed the Kitzbühel Cup in an eventful encounter, winning 10–8.5.

The match for the Kitzbühel Country Club Cup (playoff for 5th place) between Team AIX and Team Bendura Bank was also fiercely contested. For a long time, the margin remained just 0.5 goals in either direction. Ultimately, a goal by Gonzalo Ferrari sealed a 6–5.5 win for Team AIX and secured them fifth place.

The final between Allianz and Pommery had generated high expectations in advance – and it did not disappoint. James Beh and his son Gavy Beh, together with Tomas Delfino, entered the final with a 1.5-goal advantage for Pommery. However, not least thanks to the tournament MVP, Raul Laplacette Jr., the trophy – newly crafted this year after three-time winner Matthias Normann was allowed to take the original trophy home on Saturday evening – went to team captain Philipp Müller and Nacho Gonzales. In a gripping final played once again in front of a full house, the trio prevailed 8–6.5. Team Pommery still had reason to celebrate: James Beh was named Amateur MVP, and Best Playing Pony went to Rumba (Tomas Delfino, Team Pommery).

Sponsors, players and organizers look back on a successful 23rd edition of the BENDURA BANK Snow Polo World Cup. Three days of fast-paced matches, perfect weather and a fantastic atmosphere among both officials and spectators whet the appetite for the next BENDURA BANK Snow Polo World Cup in 2027.