LivingPolo: news & lifestyle

Ragnar Meitern: "It's a pleasure to have been able to win such a prestigious tournament"

The player from Estonia is enjoying the Copa de Plata title his team won at Sotogrande. This is what he said to LivingPolo:

Ragnar Meitern, Nick Johnson, Kaveh Shakib & Maxi Malacalza

LivingPolo: You have just won the Silver Cup Low Goal as part of El Fortin - Shakib Polo Team at Santa Maria Polo Club, Sotogrande. How does it feel?

Ragnar Meitern: Feels great. This was my first time playing at Sotogrande and obviously its a great pleasure to have been able to play and win at such a prestigious tournament.

LP: Who else played as part of El Fortin team?

Ragnar Meitern: We had a fantastic team with some very talented young professional players, including Maxi Malacalza (24), from Argentina, with whom I've had an opportunity to play in Dubai. Also Nick Johnson (21), two goaler from England, who has played as part of Loro Piana high goal team in Argentina and in England played great. Also Hector Haynes (20), who is one of the local players and not a professional, helped the team to win some of the critical games. Finally we could have not done it without one of the team's patrons, Kaveh Shakib, who despite his age, was able to give his contribution in the final!

LP: How was your opponent El Castanar and did you watch any of their previous games?

Ragnar Meitern: They had a strong team and I saw them beat the Bronze Cup winner Silex in the semi-finals, so we know what to expect.

LP: Already played many finals? Are you used to it or are you still getting nervous?

Ragnar Meitern: Still nervous as have not played that many high profile tournaments, although I did make it to the 1st Ibiza Beach Polo finals and last year had also an opportunity to play against the all time best, Adolfo Cambiaso, at the same tournament.

LP: How does it feel to play in Sotogrande and was the tournament well organized?

Ragnar Meitern: Sotogrande is great as they have some of the best fields in the world. Also the tournament was very well organised!

LP: Next tournaments?

Ragnar Meitern: Hopefully I will have an opportunity to play few tournaments in Dubai, where the season starts in October, and potentially, would like to play again in Ibiza, where a new Ibiza Polo Club has just opened.

LP: When will we have polo in Estonia?

Ragnar Meitern: Hopefully soon!

By Santiago Martella