Three time’s a charm – team Intocast dominates the 2025-tournament

Another highlight of the Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel is the gala on Saturday evening. Every year, players and guests enjoy an exclusive dinner before the VIP tent is transformed into a party location. The band Cookies And Cream played for the fourth time at the gala before DJ Erok turned the night into day. 

For some players, however, it was time to get up early: Team Casablanca and Team Bendura Bank lined up for the AIX Cup at 10:30 am. Amy Blake Thomas stepped in for Niclas Johansson, who had fallen on Friday. Pelayo Berazadi (handicap +6) worked his magic for Team Bendura Bank right from the start, which is why the 8 goals scored by Team Casablanca with Glenn Lostritto, Juan Redlich and Naco Taverna were not enough. The match for 7th place ended 8 - 10 and Team Bendura Bank secured the AIX Cup.

The Kitzbühel Country Club Cup and thus third place in the tournament went to Team Engel & Völkers this year. Jan-Hendrik Többe's team overcame a 1 ½ goal deficit against Team Veuve Clicquot, which they went into the game with due to their better handicap. The horses of Többe, Agustin Kronhaus and Adrian Laplacette were also in top form on the third day and although Christian Grimme, Lukas Sdrenka and Gaston María Begueri gave their all to prevent defeat, the final score was 7 - 5 ½ for the red team from Engel & Völkers.

After the lunch break, the Casablanca Cup was decided. Team Tiger Frontier / Scaleluna and Team Bentley met in the match for fifth place. Both teams won their matches on Saturday and were therefore highly motivated going into the game. Melissa Ganzi's Team Bentley, like Team Engel & Völkers before them, not only overcame a 1 ½ goal deficit, but also won the game 10 to 7 ½ with a lot of talent and perfectly prepared horses. 

Pure drama in the final: defending champion Intocast against World Polo League. The match was competitive right from the start, but Matthias Normann's team (Intocast) was able to build up a comfortable lead early on. Nevertheless, it remained exciting until the end. Grant Ganzi (Team World Polo League) was hit on the head shortly before the end and had to be treated, but was fortunately able to continue playing. There were 40 seconds left on the clock when play resumed. Grant Ganzi himself took the penalty kick and scored, but his team ultimately lost to Intocast 7 - 11, making Intocast the first team to win the title three times in a row. 

Overall, the organizers can look back on a more than successful weekend. All horses were fit to compete and in top form at all times, the atmosphere around the polo pitch was exuberant on all three days of the event and the Kitzbühel region is looking forward to welcoming the polo community again in 2026, according to Christian Harisch, Chairman of the Kitzbühel Tourist Board. 

Results

Sunday, 19th January

AIX Cup - 7th & 8th place Game: Casablanca vs. Bendura Bank 8 – 10 

Kitzbühel Country Club Cup - 3rd & 4th place Game: Engel & Völkers vs. Veuve Clicquot 7 – 5 ½ 

Casablanca Cup Finals (runner up Cup) - 5th & 6th place Game: Tiger Frontier / Scaleluna vs. Bentley 7 ½ - 10

BENDURA BANK Finals - 1st & 2nd place Game: World Polo Leauge vs. Intocast
7 - 11

MVP : Martin Donovan, Team Intocast

Best Playing Pony: Copado, 16 yo geldin, owner: Matthias Normann, player: Martin Donovan (Team Intocast)