We’ve just finished the opening round of the Argentine Open witnessing some surprises and some disappointments.
While La Dolfina easily took car of El Paraiso, 18-9, in the opening match of the 2008 Argentine Open, it will be facing its first real test of the tournament on Saturday when it meets Chapa II, the upset loser to Black Watch last weekend. For Chapa II, it is a must win. Another loss will, for all intents and purposes, eliminate them from the Open.
Black Watch, however, rode onto the field with a new alignment. There are rumors that the sponsorship money wasn’t fully presented, and going into its opening game the talented Sapo Caset (8) replaced Black Watch front man Nacho Figueras (6). Add to that the misfortune suffered by La Aguada’s Eduardo Novillo Astrada (9) who suffered a torn muscle in the opening chukker (replaced by 8-goaler Marcos di Paola) followed by an injury to the shoulder of Javier Novillo Astrada (9) in the sixth chukker (replaced by 7-goaler Silvestre Donovan), and Black Watch moves forward.
With Eduardo Astrada apparently out of the Open and brother Javier questionable, La Aguada’s chances look remote.
Ellerstina made quick work of its game with Trenque Lauquen, but that was expected. The dark horse in the race this year might well be Pilara.
A first year team counting on the veteran leadership of 10-goaler Marcos Heguy and Sebastian Merlos, this 37-goal team should not be taken lightly. Facing the 29-goal El Paraiso team this weekend, won’t tell much. The depth of the team’s stables will have to prove worthy, and it is going to have to defeat La Dolfina to make it into the finals-and the odds of that? My money rides on a rematch of last year’s finals between La Doflina (40-goals) goals) and Ellerstina (39-goals). The outcome? We’ll have to wait and see if either team makes it to the finals. It is the Agentine Open, and anything can happen, ask the Astradas.
