FORTE DEI MARMI
We are born winners and, as far as Alessandro Bertolucci is concerned, we remain. One of the greatest Italian hockey players of all time, with almost 30 titles won between club and national team, in the last three years, as coach of Trissino and Forte dei Marmi, he has achieved almost everything possible: 3 championships, 2 Italian cups and 1 Italian super cup, 1 Champions League and 1 Intercontinental cup. Scudetti won by sitting on the benches of the two contenders.
What does it feel like?
“It’s a great satisfaction because when you win in multiple places it means that there is a great commitment behind it. They were successes with different teams: the first perhaps more technical, while in the second the difference was made by the collective and the spirit of sacrifice. Trissino’s second title was easier also because I also worked with many players in the national team in Forte dei Marmi and I can only thank the boys and the staff who were exceptional.”
Was Trissino just any opponent?
“As happens as a player, competing against your former team is never easy, especially if you have left a good memory. Every year has been special: in Trissino’s second scudetto I wanted to leave a good memory, given that I would have moved to Forte and I think I did it given that in recent days I have received many compliments from the Venetian fans. This year I also wanted to leave a good memory and that’s why we celebrated with so much enthusiasm.”
What were the most difficult moments of this season?
“We’ve had various ones, from Attilio Bindi’s exit before the Italian cup to Ambrosio’s injuries before the cup and championship finals. And then, in the final, the 0-2 after the first half of game two, the injury of Ipinazar and the red to Gil. I was lucky enough to lead a team of men and the unity that existed between us in these moments was decisive, otherwise we wouldn’t have won.”
When did you realize it was made for the championship?
“Let’s say that the victory in Lodi in the fourth semi-final made us understand that we could do it. In the finals I then saw a nervous Trissino who, combined with our clarity, I knew would make the difference”.
Is it more difficult to win playing or coaching?
“As a player you have more fun, you are more at peace because you are the one who goes on the track. As a coach you suffer more also because you have to manage the environment, which as a player you don’t have to worry about.”
Is the immediate future blue?
“I congratulated all the boys of the national team who played in the finals and who will be together in a few days to begin preparation for the World Cup in September in Novara. I was pleased to hear that they are already focused on this commitment that we all care about very much.”
GA
