Under the spring sun at the Hurlingham Club, the birthplace of Argentine polo tradition, a new chapter of greatness was written. On Saturday, October 4th, 2025, La Natividad – La Dolfina, the 40-goal powerhouse that unites two of the sport’s most dominant dynasties, defeated UAE Polo by 12–9 to claim the 132nd Hurlingham Open Championship.
It was a final that embodied everything polo has become in the modern era: speed, precision, organization, and family legacy. The team led by Adolfo Cambiaso (h.), the sport’s most decorated player, alongside his son Poroto Cambiaso and the prodigious Castagnola brothers, Camilo and Bartolomé, reaffirmed that the fusion between La Dolfina and La Natividad was more than symbolic—it was the creation of a new era.
The Grand Final – From Balance to Supremacy
The final, played before a full house at Hurlingham’s main field, began with UAE Polo — the revelation of the tournament — striking first. Under the leadership of Pablo “Polito” Pieres, UAE took early control and surprised the favorites with a disciplined, aggressive start. After two chukkers, they led 4–2, as their midfield pressure disrupted La Natividad – La Dolfina’s rhythm.
But as often happens in great finals, experience began to assert itself. In the third chukker, La Natividad responded with authority. Camilo Castagnola, the team’s most explosive scorer, found his range, converting both from the field and the penalty line. The scoreboard leveled at 5–5, and from that point, momentum started to shift.
By halftime, the green-and-blue machine had taken command, leading 8–6. In the fifth and sixth chukkers, La Natividad tightened its defense while maintaining relentless offensive pressure. UAE Polo fought with courage, but La Natividad’s combination of precision, unity, and speed proved too much. As the match entered its final two periods, the difference grew to 11–9, and finally 12–9, sealing the title.
Official Progression (Chukker by Chukker)
1. 1–1
2. 2–4
3. 5–5
4. 8–6
5. 9–7
6. 10–7
7. 11–9
8. 12–9
Despite UAE Polo’s early advantage, La Natividad – La Dolfina dominated the middle phases, winning five of the last six chukkers. The team’s relentless rhythm and adaptability—shifting from controlled possession to direct acceleration—became the defining factors.
Scorers and Key Figures
For La Natividad – La Dolfina:
• Camilo “Jeta” Castagnola: 8 goals (4 penalties), voted Most Valuable Player of the Final.
• Adolfo Cambiaso (h.): 2 goals, commanding presence, and emotional leadership.
• Poroto Cambiaso: 1 goal, with masterful distribution and defensive coverage.
• Bartolomé Castagnola (h.): 1 goal and multiple assists.
For UAE Polo:
• Pablo Pieres: 6 goals (4 from penalties), once again the backbone of the team.
• Lucas Monteverde (n): 2 goals, including a long-range masterpiece in the fourth chukker.
• Tomás Panelo: 1 goal, displaying courage in attack and defensive sacrifice.
Tactical Analysis – The Anatomy of a Champion
La Natividad – La Dolfina’s triumph was built on a combination of athletic synchronization, tactical patience, and mental dominance. The team’s hallmark is its seamless coordination between youth and experience: Adolfo Cambiaso’s composure and reading of the game act as the anchor, while Poroto, Barto, and Jeta bring the tempo, creativity, and aggression.
Their ability to absorb pressure was decisive. In the early stages, when UAE looked sharper, Cambiaso senior adjusted the team’s structure, pulling Poroto deeper into defense and allowing Camilo to play higher upfield. The result: space opened for transitions, and La Natividad began dictating both pace and possession.
The Castagnola brothers were instrumental. Barto’s powerful runs stretched UAE’s defense, and Camilo’s penalty accuracy (4/5) ensured that every foul by the opposition carried a heavy price. Meanwhile, Nero’s attempts to contain Jeta were courageous but often futile against his speed and anticipation.
UAE Polo, for their part, executed their game plan admirably for five chukkers. Polito Pieres led by example, combining field goals with set plays, while Monteverde and Panelo provided dynamic support. However, their discipline wavered in the sixth chukker, committing fouls that shifted momentum irreversibly toward La Natividad.
Historical Significance and Milestones
The 2025 Hurlingham Open title carries immense weight beyond the victory itself. For Adolfo Cambiaso (h.), it marks:
• His 16th career Hurlingham Open title, surpassing the legendary Juan Carlos Harriott Jr., who won 15.
• His 43rd Triple Crown championship, the most in polo history.
It also represents the first major trophy for the fusion team La Natividad – La Dolfina, an unprecedented collaboration between two dynasties that had previously defined Argentine polo from opposite sides of the rivalry.
Camilo and Bartolomé Castagnola now hold three Hurlingham titles (2021, 2024, 2025), confirming their consistency and cementing their place as the heirs to the modern polo throne. Meanwhile, Poroto Cambiaso, at just 19, continues to evolve as one of the sport’s brightest stars—combining his father’s vision with a new generation’s pace and instinct.
The Legacy of Hurlingham and a New Era
The Hurlingham Open, established in 1893, remains the most historic active polo competition on earth, and its 132nd edition symbolized both continuity and transformation. The presence of a 40-goal team—something rarely seen in recent years—was a reminder of the game’s highest possible level.
Yet, beyond the statistics, the victory of La Natividad – La Dolfina feels like a generational handover within a single family. For three decades, Adolfo Cambiaso defined excellence. Now, sharing the field with his son and the Castagnolas, he has transformed from icon to mentor, bridging eras while still competing at the sport’s absolute peak.
The celebration at Hurlingham was a reflection of that duality: the roar of tradition and the promise of a future that is faster, more global, and more dynamic than ever.
After the final whistle, Cambiaso spoke with emotion:
“To win again here, with my son and with the Castagnola family, means everything. Hurlingham is where I grew up as a player; to lift this trophy again at this stage of my life is incredible.”
Camilo “Jeta” Castagnola, named MVP, added:
“This team is a dream. We respect each other deeply, we enjoy playing together, and I think that shows on the field. Today we faced a great UAE team, but our focus and teamwork made the difference.”
Polito Pieres, gracious in defeat, recognized the champions:
“They’re a complete team. We gave everything, and for five chukkers it was even, but their precision and confidence were just superior today.”
The final was broadcast live across Latin America via Disney+ Premium and internationally on AAP Live, with thousands of viewers tuning in across Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. The global exposure underscores how Argentine polo continues to lead the sport’s development and audience growth.
The 132nd Hurlingham Open will be remembered as the tournament that confirmed the rise of a new superteam. La Natividad – La Dolfina not only fulfilled expectations—they redefined them. Their blend of legacy and innovation, of father and son, of Cambiaso and Castagnola, is shaping the future of high-goal polo.
As the dust settles at Hurlingham and attention turns toward the Tortugas Open and ultimately Palermo, the message is clear: the throne of Argentine polo is still in the hands of Cambiaso, but its future shines through the next generation riding beside him.