SAMMICHELE Promoted With AGLA

SAMMICHELE Bari, kit supplied by AGLA, toasts to achieving promotion to the Serie A2 championship. The promotion came after a crazy final and an exciting head-to-head battle with Cisternino. The coach of the Apulia team, CATALDO GUARINO, talks about the season.

Was the club’s promotion in the club’s plans?

Early in the season promotion was the club’s main objective. We managed to build a competitive team in a group that later proved to be very difficult because of the quality of our opponent’s squads. The top five in our group have proven to be great teams from both tactical and technical perspectives. This is demonstrated by the fact that 3 teams from our group were in the Italian Cup Final Eight and that the final was Cisternino v Meta.

When did you think you had your goal in your hands?

After the defeat with Cisternino in the second round, following a game that was going 4-2 in our favor until four minutes from the end when they took victory of 4 to 5 in the last few seconds left, the bitterness was huge. Nobody would have bet a penny on our first place finish because the gap of 5 points was large and also to make matters worse, Miguel Matos, who was regarded as our best player, left.

In this very moment any team could easily give up. But it was not so. We all rolled up our sleeves, the club; staff and players, and we worked harder than before. The group is very close and we became a team. Since that day we have not lost a game. We won them all. The tie between Catania and Cisternino the following week gave us hope and strength to continue to fight until the end. Then, in the penultimate round, a draw between Cisternino and Matera allowed us to get level on points. The last day we went to Crotone with one goal; "to win by the biggest goal difference possible!"

Everyone knows what happened in the end! We had a great championship! The final victories away against Mola and Matera, two great teams, are proof. It is useless to deny that Cisternino has had a great championship and if they won it would have been on merit. I believe it would be right to have a playoff for the award of the title. But the rules are based on goal difference. And it was for this reason that both teams played the final round with the obsessive search for the goal until the last second!

We have been disparaged, insulted and threatened! But all this is not futsal! Maybe someone was already the winner before! Maybe someone won’t admit that Sammichele has played a great championship and has made great sacrifices to win it! Maybe someone is a bad loser! We have been called "Cowards"! But I believe that it is the "noises" from those who thought they would win easily and were not right!

Are you disappointed because you missed the double of championship and Italian Cup?

We are not disappointed. The Italian Cup is an event featuring great teams and Cisternino deserved the win. These competitions are won by whoever comes in the best physical and mental condition! Our only disappointment is the regret that we went to the cup without captain Zerbini and Giuliani, key players for us, because of injuries. It is a statement of fact, not an excuse. Opponents have deserved to win but I'm still proud of how my players approached the game at a time like this.

What are the expectations for the next championship in Serie A2?

It is still early to talk about the upcoming season. I still have to meet with the president and with the club to discuss the future and possibly to define the objectives for next season. I am thinking about Sammichele but whatever happens we are more than convinced that this club will be able to play its first championship in A2 in the best way. This year something extraordinary has been achieved. A team, a club, a region like Sammichele has reached promotion in a league so important and prestigious. It is precisely for this reason that the higher expectations for next season must be based on the commitment of giving continuity to the process of growth, improvement and great engagement already begun this year. It will be necessary to place a lot of organization behind a new plan, both in the short and long term. Everything that is achieved follows from good work up until that point and at the same time trying to be a more competitive team. They will face great teams and each game will be a battle. We must take one step at a time but remain competitive.

Which players do you dream of bringing to Sammichele?

In the case of the reappointment at the helm of Sammichele, and considering the objectives of the club, I think it's still important to start with the base of the team that reached the promotion and assess the possibility of improving the squad both in terms of quality and quantity. I would want to add some players from a higher level and some interesting young players. There is no specific player I want to bring to Sammichele in that dream. There are many talented players in circulation. It will be important to choose the right ones to create a competitive roster, and to achieve the objectives that the club set.

How was the collaboration with AGLA?

AGLA is a leader in the industry and we chose it as the sponsor according to the great experience that the company has in futsal.

How did the idea emerge of organizing a youth tournament in June with AGLA?

The idea was born thanks to our desire to give younger children more experience once the official season ended.

How do you assess the products AGLA?

The whole supply AGLA for the 2014-2015 season has been of a good level, both sporting and clothing kit. We are glad we chose this company for the season that just ended, it has brought luck with the victory in Serie B and promotion to A2.


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Posted by Mico Martic --> mico.martic@futsalplanet.com