Team Nissan LEAF is the sovereign winner of the Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2017 presented by Nissan with a 9:6 against Team Royal Pearls. The Albwardy brothers Tariq and Rashed playing alongside Matias Machado, who is the resident instructor of the Desert Palm Polo Club, left no doubt about their superiority in the decisive match. Tariq, who has played polo all over the world, scored several goals for his team. Though Royal Pearls started the encounter with a goal by Lucas Labat, Nissan LEAF took the lead from then on and did not give away their advantage. Team Royal Pearls featuring Moritz Gädeke from Berlin and the Argentinean pro Lucas Labat as well as Dr. Piero Dillier and Andreas Bihrer from Switzerland sharing a position, fell back to 8:3 in the third chukker. In the fourth game, Piero Dillier, Moritz Gädeke and of course Lucas Labat could bravely catch up to the final score of 9:6 for Nissan LEAF.
The subsidiary final for the third place saw Team HILLS Advertising featuring the very strong Dubai debutant Juan Jose „JJ“ Storni from Argentina playing alongside the English Jan Bladen (Dubai resident) and the last years winner Sam Instone. With a 5:1 against ArtMarine with Ayyad Damouni, Rashed Al Sayegh and Maxi Malacalza, HILLS Advertising won clearly and deserved.
Under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, the Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2017 presented by Nissan has been a part of the prestigious sporting events calendar in the region for more than a decade. The entire tournament was broadcasted again to the Dubai television and livstreamed on the internet and through international polo media. It is the outstanding venue at the Dubai Marina surrounded by the lightened skyscrapers and the most exclusive set-up of the polo arena, which makes the Beach Polo Cup Dubai presented by Nissan this year again to one of the most glamorous polo events in the world. In the break between the two matches the huge audience empathically applaused to diverse artistic horse actions and dressage presentations in a spectacular lightshow.
Jan-Erik Franck, Commentator: „Once again Sam and Gaby Katiela from mamemo have raised the barr making the Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2017 an exceptional and amazing experience. The atmosphere in the stands and the action on the field was electrifying and enjoyed by everyone. For any polo aficionado a „must see“. Nissan Leaf deserved to win, but the Royal Pearls were a worthy opposition and finalist.
Tournament Organiser and Managing Director Gaby and Sam Katiela: „It was an amazing feeling for both of us to receive so many compliments and beautiful smiles from all our guests, supporters, sponsors and players. The Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2017 presented by Nissan was the most beautiful and emotional edition for us since we started it in 2004. We look forward to many more to come. It proves again that passionate hard work, sophisticated performance, attention to detail, honesty and care in all parts and with everybody pays of. The surprise visit of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum made it all just perfect. This shows that Dubai/UAE is one of the greatest places to live in the world.“
