La Pampa finished in third place on the podium at the XXXI Araucanía Binational Games of Chile 2024, after the last day of competition was held this Friday in the cities of Coyhaique, Puerto Aysén and Punta Arenas (Chile).
The binational competition, which began on Monday, featured the participation of 1,700 athletes from the six Patagonian provinces and the seven regions of southern Chile, who competed in volleyball, basketball, soccer, judo, athletics, cycling and swimming.
La Pampa, which added 168 points, had a very good performance by finishing third in the medal table, as in the two previous editions, giving everything in each of the disciplines, fighting point by point with Río Negro (177) and Chubut ( 171), which finally placed first and second, respectively.
Fourth was the team from Araucanía (157), fifth Bío Bío (156), sixth Los Lagos (148), seventh Neuquén (147), eighth Los Ríos (129), ninth Santa Cruz (104), tenth Ñuble (94), Magallanes eleventh (90), Tierra del Fuero twelfth (79), Aysén thirteenth (71).
GOLDEN VOLEYBALL
In men’s volleyball, on the court of the San José Obrero School in Coyhaique before an impressive crowd, La Pampa won the gold medal for the third time by beating Río Negro 3-0 in the final, in a match that was favorable to the champion at all times, showing excellent performance.
At no time could Río Negro stop the Pampas, who became strong in attack, which by the way was varied, although it must be recognized that the presence of central defender Leonardo Herbsommer gave them an extra advantage.
La Pampa, directed by Enrique Leaniz and assisted by Marcos López, formed with Mateo Testa, Bautista Busto, Santiago Casaña, Leonardo Herbsommer, Nicolás Martín and Gonzalo Chavez. Entered: Iván Monzón. The squad was completed with Jeremías Aguilar, Ulises Aguirre, Thiago Huinchinao and Marcelo Zúñiga.
After the victory, in the midst of the celebrations, coach Enrique Leaniz said excitedly: “I lost count of the number of times I have played the Araucanía, what I do remember is that for the third time I became champion as a coach, beating Rio Black”.
Leaniz, with tears in his eyes, first dedicated the victory to Gustavo “Topy” Sapa, General Acha’s coach, who passed away last year. “I also want to thank the Undersecretary of Sports, the clubs that train the players and the boys who won today, who make up a spectacular group. I always trusted them, in what they are capable of giving.”
THE SILVER GIRLS
In women’s volleyball, also at the San José Obrero School, La Pampa was runner-up after losing to Bío Bío 3 to 2, 15-11 in a tie break.
The meeting between the Pampas and the Chileans was vibrant. After an unfavorable first set 29-31, La Pampa turned it around (25-20 and 25-15) with accurate attacks, mainly by Catalina Arrigone, who was once again the figure of the team.
The fourth chapter was even. The Pampas reached a difference of up to six points in their favor, but then the Chileans adjusted in defense and attack, to first equalize it and then go on to win. Bío Bío took the lead 23-19, but La Pampa did not give up and from the serve they added points until they were 24-24. The Chileans decided it in their favor 27-25.
In the tie break, Bío Bío was more precise in the game, while the Pampas were imprecise due to nerves. The champion took the victory 15-11.
La Pampa formed with Lara Hirtz, Martina Costoya, Catalina Arrigone, Valentina Galván, Martina Fernández and Blanca Besano. Mía Andiarena, Morena Baudracco and Catalina Colombatti entered. The team was completed with Candela Hermann, Romanela Rodríguez and Delfina Toro
GOLD AND BRONZE IN FOOTBALL
The Pampas soccer team was crowned champion yesterday by beating Ñuble 2 to 0, and regained the crown it had won for the last time in 2022.
With goals from Bruno Fernández and Fabricio Piacenza, one in each half, La Pampa played an excellent game.
In the final, La Pampa formed with Thomás Virto; Máximo Giménez, Valentino Capello, Manuel Bernal and Francisco González; Joaquín Giacobbe, Francisco Parada, Cristian Vega and Uriel Arregui; Fabricio Piacenza and Bruno Fernández. Then Cristian Videla, Benjamín Bravo and Vicente Almudévar entered.
The Pampas women’s soccer team won the bronze medal by beating Río Negro 5 to 4 on penalties, after equaling 1 to 1 in an emotional match played at the Antonio Ríspoli Díaz Fiscal Stadium in Punta Arenas.
La Pampa opened the scoring in the first half through Constanza Pacheco, and in the second half they deserved the second if it weren’t for Antonella Berruetta’s goal being unfairly disallowed. Then, at the end, the Rio Negro tied it with a goal from Gianella San Martín.
In the penalties, San Martín herself missed the first shot and the Pampas scored all five shots (Maldonado, Pacheco, Giuliana Villalba, Lucía Schab and Alma López) to take third place.
La Pampa formed with Luisana Linaza, Alma López, Constanza Pacheco, Delfina Fernández and Uma Gómez; Giuliana Villalba, Agustina Maldonado, Naiara Vilchez and Lucía Schab; Emilia Peters and Antonella Berruetta. Then Marina Díaz and Juanita Martínez entered.
BERAU WON
The Pampas cyclist Maia Berau made history yesterday at the Araucanía Binational Games “Aysén 2024”, by winning the street circuit test corresponding to the fourth stage.
Berau was escorted by Amaia Alvarez (Chubut) and Ana Fierro Mora (Ñuble). Fourth was Maida Valdebenito (Los Ríos) and fifth, Antonella Mora Parra (Bío Bío).
In the men, Mateo Olguín was the best with 25th place.
In the cycling overall, La Pampa finished eighth in the women’s race and tenth in the men’s race.
JUDO
The Pampas men’s judo team was third in the women’s branch with 16 points. Magallanes was crowned champion with 22, followed by Neuquén with 19. Fourth was Chubut with 14 and fifth, Aysén with 12.
In the women’s category, La Pampa was eleventh with 3 units. Río Negro won with 22, followed by Aysén with 19 and Tierra del Fuego with 16.
