Tight Victory for Team Tonino Lamborghini Residences Dubai at The Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2018

It promised to be one the most competitive finals in the 9-year history of the Beach Polo Cup Dubai – and it lived up to expectations. Yesterday evening at Skydive Dubai, Rashid Albwardy, Saoud Khoory and Maxi Malacalza, playing in the colours of title sponsor Tonino Lamborghini Residences Dubai, finally emerged victorious with a tight score of 7-6 against Team Hills Advertising.

Rashid’s brother Tariq and his Hills Advertising teammates, Sam Instone and Ramiro Cordero put the pressure on their opponents from the very first bell and took the lead from the beginning to chukka number three, when the Tonino Lamborghini Residences team started to catch up to a 5-5 score. It was in the last round that Rashid Albwardy’s team came back strong again, chasing every opportunity to turn the game – and succeeded. Maxi Malacalza was awarded Most Valuable Player of the 2018 tournament.

The match for the third place was played between Team Altaaqa Global, featuring Faris Al Yabhouni, Michael Neisr and Santiago Gomez Romero, and Team Lindt, which presented the first female player in the tournament’s history; Dr Sabine Schaffer. Playing alongside Jan Bladen and Tomy Iriarte, Schaffer delivered an exceptional good match. In the end, it was Team Altaaqa Global who secured the third place with only one goal ahead.

Held under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council for the 4th consecutive year, the Tonino Lamborghini Residences Dubai Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2018 Presented by Oriental Pearls has finished the 2018 sporting calendar in spectacular style. 

The Dubai Sports Council is a long-term partner of the event and His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council said, “Polo has been around for more than 2,500 years, but we can proudly say that the beach version of this ‘sport of kings’ was born here on the sands of Dubai and we are really proud to see this tournament turn into one of Dubai’s premier sporting events.”

Gabriela Noser-Katiela, Event & Tournament Director of the Beach Polo Cup Dubai added, “Dubai is on a mission to be the most active city in the world and we want to make our mark supporting this goal.” It was also Gaby’s initiative to extend the public grandstands this year and to invite the people of Dubai to enhance their polo experience, get free entry to the tournament and learn about the powerful charism and breathtaking action of beach polo. The 2018 edition of the tournament also saw the first-ever Holiday Christmas Market, which offered unique and stylish gift ideas from small businesses across the UAE.

Polo Commentator Jan-Erik Franck, known worldwide as ‘The Voice of Polo’ concluded, “There is no doubt that the Beach Polo Cup Dubai ranks among the top polo events in the world. The 2018 tournament has demonstrated again, how electrifying the spirit of beach polo is and how much easier it is to watch from the grandstands than field polo on grass. With the new presenting sponsor this unique event will remain at a high standard and we are already looking forward to the 10th Jubilee edition in 2019.”