San Fernando vs. Banco Provincia, the grand final between the two best of the year

On the one hand, the most consistent in recent years, on the other, the one that obtained the most championships. San Fernando A and Banco Provincia will define the new champion of the Men’s Metropolitan Tournament this Saturday, November 30 from 4:15 p.m. and with Disney Plus Premium transmission.

Six months and 18 days passed since the televised date 11 of the first round between the Tricolor of Zona Norte and Los Piratas. That time the victory was for Ignacio Bergner’s team by 2 to 1. A month ago, it would be revenge for Ignacio Ortíz’s team who won with the same result. The parity on the scoreboard also marks the parity in recent history between both teams.

The dominance of Vicente López’s team is undeniable. From 1999 to 2019, that is, for 20 years, they obtained all the Metropolitan titles that they currently have in their showcases. There were 11 trophies out of 21 that were disputed. Overwhelming.

On the other hand, Sanfer ended a 24-year streak without that conquest in 2006 and, from there, just as happened in the ladies, it began to position itself on the front page of the contest. In 2017 and 2021 he lifted his last two cups and after losing two semifinals in a row as first in the regular phase, they ended the streak.

Sanfer arrives with only two defeats this year and a score of his own to settle

Similar to what happened last year, San Fernando A comfortably won the regular phase, which placed them directly in the semifinals of the Playoffs. They obtained 64 points (20 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses), with 84 goals for and 42 against. Without suffering too much, they reached a new final after beating Ciudad A 2 to 0.

It had significant ups and downs during the year. To the goals that he provided Lautaro Ferrero who emigrated to Europe, replaced them with the youth of Marco Aguirregomezcortawho had missed this instance due to injury last year. The most sensitive loss was that of Maico Casellaalso destined for the Old Continent. However, the machine created by those from the north of Buenos Aires continued to be oiled and with a base commanded by its figure and captain, the experienced Matías Reywhich maintained that potential. Next to him, other top players like Matias Yiyo Saliva or Guido Barreiros contributed theirs to the youth provided by the Merlini brothers plus the presence and reference of Jaime Terzi.

A great base from the current team that Bergner took from the current coach of Los Leones, Lucas Rey, made the Olympic turn on that mythical afternoon in 2021 in which they fell 3 to 1 in the final against GEBA and they turned it around in the final shot , in a closing that was recorded in everyone’s memory. Now it will be the turn to try to take the throne from the team that marked the current era of Buenos Aires men’s hockey.

Banco Provincia and the devastating power of a club that only wants to fight these instances

In Vicente López the word champion It became almost a daily occurrence. Under the guidance of Ignacio Ortíz, it was no exception. Last year they achieved the Super 8, the first title for the historic former Los Piratas player from the bench, who coincidentally, was the last captain to lift the Metropolitano trophy in 2019, in that famous 6-0 win over Ciudad in the duel for the trophy. That final of the national competition was against San Fernando A, the same venue they reached in this year’s edition, but this time they lost in the same way against Mitre, the current champion of the three most important titles for the Buenos Aires clubs. (Metro, Copa Baires and Super 8).

The truth is that, if we talk about definitions, Province Bank It is always there and the numbers are as surprising as they are forceful. Since 2014, he was champion in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, runner-up in 2014 and 2022 and semi-finalist in 2017, 2021 and 2023. Removing favoritism is almost impossible. His year in the regular phase was not so comfortable. He lost players along the way, such as Federico Monja who emigrated to Europe and Ignacio Huarte who retired last year. However, Ortiz’s great base was given by a fair combination of youth from players like Iñaki Minadeo and Joaquín Toscani along with the experience given from pillars like Tomás Bettaglio and Lucas Vila.

As far as numbers are concerned, they finished the regular phase undefeated in eight games (4 wins and 4 draws), which placed them in second place in the standings and secured their direct place in the semifinals with 51 points after winning 15 games, drawing 6 and losing only 5 (they scored 54 goals and were the team that conceded the least with 36). In the semifinal, he had to suffer, but finally reached the last day after beating the difficult Ducilo 3 to 2 on Australian penalties after equaling 1 to 1 in regular time.