Roller Hockey: A Mendoza team continues to celebrate winning the Apertura championship.

We can divide the Apertura into two stages. To be champions, Andes Talleres had to play through the first stage, or qualifying phase, where they earned 21 points, scored 44 goals, and conceded 34.

In the standings, "ATSC" finished second behind Casa de Italia, which was first with 27 points. Impsa was third with 18 points, and Banco Mendoza was fourth with 15.

The second stage consisted of single-match knockouts. In the quarterfinals, Andes Talleres defeated Petrolero 5-1, and in the semifinals, Los Matadores defeated Impsa 5-3. In the grand final, they defeated Casa de Italia 4-2.

Let's remember that the so-called Matadores on Wheels are like the River Plate of Roller Hockey, because they have several competitions in what remains of this season, among which the Super League, the Club World Cup and the defense of the crown in the AMP Clausura tournament stand out: "We play this Friday against Valenciano for the Super League, we have the Clausura, the Mendocino, the Pan American and the Club World Cup," reaffirmed Marcelo Innella, technical director of the Roller Hockey team of the Andes Talleres club.

Regarding the differences they made with the other teams, which ultimately helped them win the title, Marcelo Innella commented: "The distinction we made was that we were very good on defense in the final matches."

When asked if the final against Casa di Italia was as he imagined, the coach said: "The final we wanted to play happened, but it was very close, as we expected; the difference was minimal."

Regarding the final match against Casa di Italia, Innella confided: "It was a very close match. It went our way because we were more effective, but the game was very even."

table seniors 2025.jpg

Courtesy/AMP

Exequiel Tamborindegui is the captain of the Andes Talleres Roller Hockey team. "This championship comes at a very important time of the year for us, because it's a boost of motivation for everything I've done before; all the most important things are still to be played. This championship serves to motivate us and give us confidence, which is why it helped us win."

Regarding the best thing about the squad, Tamborindegui said: "It's the camaraderie, on and off the court. It's a very close group, and that helps you enjoy everything. It's a team with ten players who are all ready to play. So we have a lot of substitutions, and that creates a very nice, healthy internal competition, which helps motivate you and keep improving."

The Azulgranas representative then stated, "Our goal is to win every game we play. We have a good team, and we're going to aim to win every tournament. Our goal is always to win and be champions in every championship we play in."

Tamborindegui also discussed the 2025 Apertura season. "It was very even. After winning the Vendimia, we started off poorly, but then, little by little, we improved. It was good and more entertaining than other years. The toughest matches were the ones we lost to Petroleros, Impsa, and the final against Casa de Italia, which was tough."

Pablo Morón

Thomas Puebla

Matías Fernández

Ezequiel Tamborindegui

Enrique Muzzio

Nahuel Silvestri

Ezequiel Orosito

Felipe Lombardi

Fernando Urtubey

Valentino Rossignoli

Giovanni Innella

Thomas Puebla

Ignacio Sampieri

Juan Cruz Tamborindegui

Rodrigo Fernández

Coach: Marcelo Innella

PF: Rodrigo Verge

Kinesiologist Cristian Bordón

At the end, coach Marcelo Innella stated: "I want to thank the leaders of the club's hockey subcommittee, Walter Fernández, Juan Carlos Orosito, Ariel Lombardi, and the other parents who support us. To club president Gustavo Villaroel for his support."