This weekend the 20th edition of the Tournoi International Horse-Ball was held in Saint Georges d'Orques in which the U10, U12, U14, U16, U21 and Women categories participated.
Once again, the selected players have shown that the level of the Catalan Horseball League is one of the best in the whole world, achieving four Gold and two Plates.
In the U10 category, the selected were: Janis Porta, Ana Puntí, Naia Castellana, Toni Vila, Irene Teixidor and Ulyana Smelova with Jose Vea as coach. The youngest were not intimidated by the French teams and with three victories, more than worked, they obtained the highest rung of the podium after an exciting final, in which the opponent had nothing to do.
Those selected in the U12 category were: Arlet Bonany, Lia Ramió, Laia Calavera, Guillem Taña, Aleix Telrez and Valentina Gómez with Josep Salvatella as coach. An excellent collective game of all players, it was transformed into three victories obtaining a more than deserved Gold medal.
Those chosen for the U14 National Team were: Janna Roca, Sergi Roca, Angela Masip, Gal·la Ramió, Josep Bosc and Denís Busoms with Nil Seall as coach. The first two days, the opponents had nothing to do, winning both comfortably. The strongest opponent in the final awaited them on the last day, but with an excellent team game the Sub 14 achieved the third victory and with it, the gold medal.
In the U16 category, the selected were: Mia Sorigue, Roger Trisan, Damas Portas, Hilay Rodríguez, Georgina Argemí and Ariadna Pueyo with Adrià Crous as coach. The first two days they achieved two victories managing and dominating the game against two magnificent teams. On the last day, the final was against the reigning French League champion, Montpellier. A match that either team deserved, but which unfortunately, the French team got away with very good management of the game, thus losing, but always giving their face and getting the silver.
The U21 National Team was represented by: Jacob Esping, Toni Sala, Octavi Creus, Aleix Alemany, Aleix Pipó and Pol Ramo with Gil Carbonés as coach. Despite all of them being under the age of 21, they saw their faces against teams of veterans who battled them every play. With two hard-fought victories in the first two days, the Catalan U21 team saw how, thanks to the experience of their opponent playing finals, they replayed the game at the last moments, losing by the minimum but obtaining a deserved second place, taking the silver to Catalonia.
In the Women's category, the selected were: Clara Purtí, Clara Pigazzi, Alba Riera, Georgina Oller, Marian España and Andrea Valderas with Guillem Puigvert as coach. Two wins on the first two days, with excellent defense, planted them in the final. Thanks to a great first half, the girls of the national team achieved the victory by the minimum in the final and with it the Gold.
Once again, the Catalan players and clubs of Horseball have proven to be one, if not the first, power in this discipline on a global scale. From the Catalan horseball we closed the season very happy and excited to continue adding rapeseed to rapeseed with clubs, players and the Federation.