The final of the URBA Top 12 will be an unforgettable chapter in the history of Argentine rugby, as for the first time the historic rivals Belgrano Athletic and Alumni will face each other in a final, putting not only the title at stake but also the pride of two teams that experienced an intense season. The match will take place at the Cathedral of San Isidro next Saturday starting at 5:10 PM.
Belgrano Athletic secured their spot in the final in a dramatic match against Newman, winning 28-27 in a duel that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the end. 'In a final, anything can happen, and previous results guarantee nothing in the most important clash of the year,' commented a team supporter.
Several players who have worn the Los Pumas jersey will be present at this historic final. Belgrano Athletic showed character by coming back several times and resisting the onslaughts of their rival. A penalty by Tomas Landó in the final minutes secured the victory, while Newman had one last chance by missing the decisive penalty on the final play of the match.
On the other hand, Alumni had a clearer path to the final, defeating SIC 30-21 in the second semifinal. The team from Tortuguitas dominated much of the match and built a solid lead from the first half, with a standout performance from their fly-half Joaquín Díaz Luzzi, who was key to the victory.
The head-to-head record between both teams this season favors Belgrano, who won both encounters in the regular phase: 22-9 in the ninth round and 25-23 in the twentieth round. For Belgrano, Tomás Cubelli will lead the team, accompanied by Santiago García Botta and Joaquín Moro. Meanwhile, Alumni will count on Santiago González Iglesias, who has accumulated 46 matches and played in the 2015 World Cup.