The coach is the architect of the victory of the Italian Handball Cup. “And now let’s focus on the championship”
SASSARI. Raimond coach Luigi Passino is the architect of the victory of the Italian men’s handball cup. «This is the fourth Cup, the first male – explains the coach -. For this reason, after 42 years, he continues to go to the gym, to sacrifice time for his family, to swallow a few bitter bites. When you win you forget the sacrifices. Seeing the tears of joy of my players, of my managers, of the fans was wonderful, they are incredible sensations that serve as a stimulus to roll up your sleeves to be able to relive them again ». The final of the Raimond against Conversano was followed by thousands of Sassari fans. «The live Sky and the rumors on social networks acted as a sounding board for the final and we received a flood of compliments from many people who lived the final with great trepidation. In addition, not having the favor of the prediction we have polarized the sympathy of many neutral spectators. Even the progress of the match, between endless pursuits, overtime and shots from 7 meters, helped to emphasize our enterprise ».
After beating the Italian champions in the Cup final, for Raimond the word scudetto is no longer a taboo. On Saturday he will be back on the pitch (6 pm) at PalaSantoru for the match against Rubiera. «We have always said that our path is projected towards the top – recalls Passino -. The mistake that must be avoided now is to put pressure on the team. The boys have to work peacefully and keep away tensions and negativity, as opposed to what happened in the recent past ».
The Raimond of the Coppa Italia 2022 looks like another team compared to last year. «Unfortunately, the tension and the load of responsibility had blown the balance of the team. Someone has misrepresented my total sharing of the technical project, undermining the relationship of trust. At that point the conditions between the coach and some of the players jumped and I preferred to leave. We got closer at the end of December, after having clarified some situations. The rest is history ». What is Raimond missing to become even stronger? «Our goal is to try to improve through work, in serenity, with sacrifice, putting the team first. We have made important steps forward in this month and a half, also thanks to the inclusion within an already very valid group of Tabanguet and Sanpaolo. Completing this process will lead us to be highly competitive ». Coach Passino is satisfied with the relationship with the club. «I married the project because it is ambitious and serious. There are very good people like Andrea and Luana, Silvio, Filippo, Salvatore. There are many loyal sponsors who are 100% involved. We work very well and we are growing together trying to smooth out edges and correct mistakes to become great ».
What about the future? “I expect Raimond to remain at the top of national handball and to act as a driving force for hundreds of Sardinian boys”. In addition to Raimond, handball in Sardinia is having a good time. «There are several interesting realities: Green blue, Lions, Nuoro. They all work to make young people grow ».