La Dolfina Triumphs Over Ellerstina 15-12, Securing Spot in 131st Campeonato Argentino Abierto Final
La Dolfina delivered another memorable performance, defeating Ellerstina 15-12 to secure their place in the final of the 131st Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo. Next Sunday, the Cambiaso-led powerhouse will face La Natividad, the team spearheaded by the Castagnola brothers, in a highly anticipated showdown featuring a total of 80 goals. For Adolfito Cambiaso, this marks his 24th Palermo final in 25 participations with the club he founded at the dawn of the millennium.
The La Dolfina vs. Ellerstina rivalry, a classic clash between the polo giants of Cañuelas and General Rodríguez, played out once again on Wednesday. As has often been the case in recent years at Palermo, the day belonged to La Dolfina. This decisive match in Zone B secured their ticket to the December 8 final against La Natividad, who overcame La Hache 12-9 the day before.
Cambiaso’s legacy continues to expand, solidifying his status as a living legend of the sport. “I’ve already achieved all my dreams. I wanted to play and win Palermo with my son, and I did it. I know I don’t have many matches left, so I try to enjoy them as much as possible. Now we have a fun final ahead against my nephews,” Adolfito said after the match.
The history between these two teams is rich, with 54 encounters that have seen remarkable players shine on both sides. La Dolfina has a commanding lead in this rivalry, with 37 wins to Ellerstina’s 17. This latest victory sets the stage for another chapter in the family duel that has defined recent Palermo finals.
The upcoming final will be the fourth consecutive championship match between La Dolfina and La Natividad. The Castagnola-led team has claimed victory twice, while La Dolfina has won once. In 2021, La Natividad captured their first title against a transitional La Dolfina lineup. In 2022, La Dolfina, featuring Poroto Cambiaso alongside Pelón Stirling and Juan Martín Nero, reclaimed the crown. Last year, La Natividad, bolstered by Facundo Pieres and Pablo Mac Donough, overcame La Dolfina in a thrilling final.
“What’s the secret to staying on top? Spending all day at the stables,” said Cambiaso. “I’m fortunate to have great teammates like Pelón and Juanma. I love the sport, and as long as I have something to give, I’ll keep looking forward.”
For Ellerstina, this season represented a resurgence. While victory eluded them, their performance was a testament to a reinvigorated approach. Led by Gonzalo Pieres and featuring the composed rookie Lucas Monteverde Jr., the tenacious du Plessis, and the clinical scorer Guillermo “Sapo” Caset, the team prioritized enjoyment and cohesion over relentless pressure.
Their shift in philosophy yielded results, allowing them to compete fiercely against the best. In Hurlingham, they narrowly missed the final in extra time against La Dolfina. At Tortugas, they came within a single goal of claiming the title. At Palermo, they played as a united, formidable squad, only to be outdone by La Dolfina’s superior execution.
“We played a good match overall,” Caset reflected. “Maybe we missed a backhander or a better pass in the final chukker, but they’re an incredible team.” Caset, the top scorer of the day with 11 goals (10 from penalties and one from a corner), acknowledged the challenge posed by La Dolfina while celebrating Ellerstina’s growth.
La Dolfina, while victorious, acknowledged an off-day. “We didn’t play well; our stickwork was poor,” Cambiaso admitted. “Thankfully, Poroto stepped up and carried us.”
Match Summary
Final Score: La Dolfina 15 – Ellerstina 12
La Dolfina: Adolfo Cambiaso Sr. (10), David Stirling (10), Adolfo Cambiaso Jr. (10), Juan Martín Nero (10). Total Handicap: 40.
Ellerstina: Guillermo Caset (9), Lucas Monteverde Jr. (8), Gonzalo Pieres (9), Ignatius du Plessis (9). Total Handicap: 35.
Score Progression: 1-1, 3-2, 6-4, 6-7, 8-9, 10-9, 13-10, 15-12.
Scorers:
• La Dolfina: Cambiaso Sr. (2, 1 penalty), Stirling (2), Cambiaso Jr. (8, 4 penalties), Nero (3).
• Ellerstina: Caset (11, 10 penalties, 1 corner), Monteverde Jr. (1).
Incidents: du Plessis (Ellerstina) was yellow-carded in the seventh chukker.
Officials: Referees: Matías Baibiene and Gastón Lucero. Umpire: Gonzalo López Vargas.
Field: No. 1, Palermo.