NEWS

La Dolfina triumphed in what proved to be an unforgettable Argentine Open at Palermo. And with their victory came several thrilling milestones and accomplishments for the highly decorated organization. To start, this win marked La Dolfina’s fifteenth title in the Argentine Open, making them the second most-winning team in the tournament’s history, tying Hurlingham. They are currently second to only Coronel Suarez. Astoundingly, in the 23 Argentine Opens that have taken place since La Dolfina’s inception in 2000, they have only been absent in one final in 2004.

For Adolfo Cambiaso, this was his eighteenth win in the Argentine Open, inching him closer to Juan Carlitos Harriot, the record-holder with 20 titles. Juan Martin Nero claimed his twelfth title and Uruguayan Pelon Stirling captured his tenth, making him the winningest foreigner in the prestigious competition’s history. Poroto Cambiaso became the youngest player to win the tournament at the age of 17 years and 6 days old. The previous record-holder was Benjamin Araya, at the age of 17 years, 3 months and 11 days old.

La Dolfina’s victory also marked the first time since 1983 that a father-son duo won together. The last time was Coronel Suarez II, featuring Horacio and Benjamin Araya as well as Juan Badiola and Daniel Gonzalez.

After the record-setting historic final, CLICKPOLOUSA met with the victors to discuss their win, their journey to the final and how they feel in the wake of this monumental success.

How did it feel to triumph alongside your son, Poroto?
"There are no words for having won alongside my son. I also have top tier partners, and an incredible coach. There is a lot of work behind this, a lot of people who lent us horses so I could achieve my dream. I am very thankful to them all."

Are you proud of your son?
"I am proud not only of how Poroto plays, but also how he is outside of the field, or at school. I'm happy with Maria [Cambiaso], she's had an important part in his education, he's earned this. I am much prouder of him as a person than as a polo player. It is the most beautiful thing, not just him, my children in general, and that is thanks to Maria. I think he's a good person and polo player. As a father, I couldn't ask for more."

What are your takeaways from this experience?
"This is a dream come true. It took a lot of hard work. There was a lot of pressure to win this year's Palermo, we couldn't miss the chance. There aren't going to be too many more. I couldn't ask for more, this is the most important win of my career."

How did you feel about your performance in the final?
"I was absent during the match because I was very nervous. I was playing, yes, but I was also watching my son. I shouldn't have worried so much about Poroto, he played better than any of us.”

Did you always want to win the Argentine Open with your son?
"I knew that, at my age, you don't get that many chances, and yet we won the Open. I had a dream about it a couple years ago. Not that we won, but that we had the chance."

Did you enjoy playing with your other teammates as well?
"I want to thank Pelon for staying on this ship for so long, and Juan who got on with blind faith. Them, Milo, and my wife, who supports me a lot. At my age, you have a lot of uncertainties when playing, and you need strong teammates by your side."

What were your expectations going into the final?
"I was expecting La Dolfina to have a good game. It wasn't my best match, but I'm part of the works, passing the ball around. I helped Pelon and Juan play great. I could join that part of the game, though I know I can play better."

How did you think La Dolfina was able to make it to the final?
"It is very difficult to even make it this far. I had a tough year due to injuries, I had to fight hard to make it. We have a great team and a great organization. Being on the field, and healthy, I knew we had a chance."

Are you happy with your win?
"It is a luxury, a marvel to win this Cup again. I have to enjoy this title, I have no idea how many more I'll win. I enjoy it more every time."

How was your path to recovery?
"Tortugas was tough, but I had a solid level in the Hurlingham semifinals and finals. Then I pulled a muscle, which slowed my recovery. However, I was there on the final. You try to do your best and play for the team whenever you can."

Do you feel that you play well under pressure?
"I like important matches; they are good motivation. I have an instinct that guides my play which sometimes is missing in normal games, but is always there in important matches, I like it."

How will you celebrate?
"It was a good year, which I enjoyed. I worked hard for this, and now I'm very happy. I'll celebrate for the entire year!"

How was it to play alongside your father in such a prestigious tournament?
"I thank my dad for giving me the chance to play for this team, with such good teammates. I am super thankful."

How do you feel?
"I can't explain how happy I am, there are no words. I have a million things in my mind."

How do you feel about becoming the youngest player to win the Argentine Open?
"I'm not looking at records, I wanted to win because we had a chance to win. Because we had been dreaming about it."

What are your takeaways from this experience?
"It's difficult, winning the Open. Having gotten this far, I only realize that now. When I was young, I was used to watching La Dolfina win from the sidelines, and it looked easy from that place. When you are on the field, you realize how difficult it is."

How will you celebrate this victory?
"I'm going to enjoy it and try to stay at this level, which they say is the most difficult part of it."

How do you feel about La Dolfina’s performance?
"I think the final score could've been better, we missed a lot of easy goals. The positive thing is that the semifinals were a low point for us, but we managed to play like we wanted in the final."

Were you surprised to win Most Valuable Player?
"I didn't expect to win MVP. I had a good run here and there, but all four of us had a good game."

What was your strategy going up against La Natividad?
"La Natividad is a team who scores a ton of goals, and we knew it. The idea was to defend them personally and stay close, because if you let them go for a second, they'll score. We were fast on the turnaround to defense, on the man, and the horses were great, that's why we won."

What does this win mean to you?
"This win is super important to me. Last year, I didn't win, I didn't make the final. You realize, when you leave an organization like this one, how difficult it is. It was very important. At 41 years old, I don't have a ton of time left, I'm enjoying it while I can."

How did it feel to have your horse win Best Playing Pony?
"It's very nice to have also won the best horse of the final. I'm thankful to La Dolfina, I played quite a few of their mares, and their grooms, Bocha, Raul, Rusa, all of them who are helping me behind the scenes and allow me to come play. The horses were amazing. I bought the awarded mare from Marcos last year, I'm happy to have done so."

All photos courtesy of ©Guadalupe Aizaga.