| «Italy will come out on top» |
| In this interview Jean Louis Cazzato talks about his rule as coach of the Italian team |
|
(01/08/07)
|
«Italy will make it to the podium». Jean Louis Cazzato, or Gigi as he is known to the players on the Italian national team, is anything but modest: he is ambitious and knows his team has what it takes to reach the finals during the 2007 Championships. This Swiss coach has been leading the Italian national team for four years, and this year he is sharing his duties with German coach, Thomas Ruff. Minigolf has always been a passion for Cazzato: «I started when I was 7 years old –recounts the coach-. Under my house there was a minigolf course so of course I would go often. Initially I was fascinated mainly with the coloured balls, but then I found I had a strong liking for the sport and started to take it seriously: at the age of 16 I started playing with the Swiss national team and I can say that I have won almost everything. At this point I would like to reach a winning post as coach». Seeing how this Swiss coach from Locarno enjoys difficult challenges, he has chosen to lead a national team which can’t boast of the same experiences as those of the Swiss, German and Swedish teams. Cazzato has given up his putter and balls in exchange for complete concentration on his role as coach: «In the past Italy has always concentrated on the ability of single players rather than its team playing abilities –he explains-. The coaches who have led the team before us always gave their best, however they didn’t have the expertise to bring the team to the next level. It won’t be easy but my colleague Ruff and I have decided to take this on, to build a strong team». The first results have already come in: during the last few years Italy has constantly been among the top six teams: it placed fifth at the World Championships in both Timisoara, Romania and Steyr, Austria, while they ranked forth at the Nations Cup in Geldrop, Holland. Because of his Swiss nationality and ties to Italy, there are two ideas which live within Cazzato: «When the Swiss National team won the World Championships in Austria last year I was elated: I was also at their last victory in 1990. But this year I had the same emotion when Italy came in fourth, beating Switzerland». And now at the start of training for the 2007 World Championships: «It’s interesting, three years ago we left from Relax Time for the competition in Romania. Now we are returning and many things have changed since then: the team is more united and the playing course is bigger».
In light of the upcoming World Championships, Cazzato brings a bit of Swiss organization to the Italian team in order to utilize the home advantage, centred on statistics of the probability of certain types of balls making it more easily into holes based on their material and temperature. At least on the minigolf course of Relax Time the Italians have the advantage of studying these holes: «Notwithstanding –warns Cazzato- they must not be too confident when competing, or they could be penalized- they must remain humble. However, as for the miniature course they start off at zero like everyone else, seen how the course is brand new». Cazzato has clear ideas and is sure of himself: «The strongest teams are Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. But I’m very realistic with my predictions: I always play to win, so I would like to place first or second. My philosophy is to believe in everything you do. We are on the right path and I know that thanks to all my experience: I’ve also made many mistakes but I realize this- and this is what’s most important».
(08/01/2007)
|
|
|
|
