Mon 24th Aug 2026The Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad 2026 Meier Brothers Finally Strike Gold in Gstaad
Albinati Aeronautics claimed the 2026 Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad after edging Kielder Agro Group 8-7 in a gripping Final, giving Swiss brothers Fabio and Luca Meier their long-awaited first title after four appearances in the championship.
The Final reflected a highly competitive tournament, with both Semi finals having come down to a single goal. The Final match was no different, with the sides locked at 2-2 after the opening chukka and 3-3 at halftime. Albinati finally broke clear in the third chukka to establish a two-goal advantage before Kielder, led by Juan Pepa, mounted a late comeback. However, the Meier brothers' team held firm to secure the prestigious Gold Cup by the narrowest of margins.
The victory also completed a remarkable week for Adrian Laplacette. The Argentine was named Best Professional Player having finished as the tournament's leading scorer with 17 goals. He also rode the Best Playing Pony, Ombucito El Padrino, in the Final. Juan Pepa received the Best Amateur Player Award after another outstanding tournament.
Laplacette credited perseverance for the win, “I really wanted to win it. For me, it was my third time playing here and I had already lost a Final two years ago. So, to finally win it is incredible. And the guys had already played four Finals: at the fourth attempt, they finally did it! It shows that you have to keep trying, keep going.”
Earlier in the day, Hublot secured third place with a 7-5 victory over Gstaad Palace. Gonzalito Pieres scored five goals to finish his first appearance in Gstaad with 16 goals in three matches.
The epic Final concluded four days of great polo, sunshine, packed sidelines and a fantastic atmosphere in the Swiss Alps.
The 2026 Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad Final teams:
Albinati Aeronautics (18): Fabio Meier (0), Luca Meier (2), Adrian Laplacette (8) & Facundo Retamar (8)
Kielder Agro Group (18): Antonio Manzano (0), Juan Pepa (2), Manuel Fernández Llorente (6) & Horacio Fernández Llorente (6)
Photograph 1: A well-earned win on the fourth attempt for the Meir brothers. By Kathrin Gralla
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