03.10.2007, 09:30
Zupo Equisoain: “I'll be back”

The legendary coach of Portland San Antonio was burnt out last season. He admits that he could hardly watch the World Championship Final, which was a sign for him to retire for some time. However, Equisoain is preparing for a comeback.

Zupo Equisoain: “I'll be back”

Wrinkles smoothed out, the face of Javier Equisoain has changed in last three months. His life has become calm and peaceful. Travelling, matches, training sessions and pressure… These are words that belong no more to the dictionary of the former legendary coach of Portland San Antonio.

Today he is the manager of Portland and he does not miss coaching at the moment. Equisoain enjoys spending time with his two daughters and wife. He is looking for the motivation that he lost on the bench a year ago. Equisoain talks to Eurohandball.com about his past and future and also about Portland San Antonio.

Eurohandball.com: How are you, Zupo? How did your life change?

Javier Equisoain: I’m very well, thanks. I feel very calm, living in handball in another way. I watch the matches, but not from the bench and suffer a bit less. I’m looking forward to feel the motivation again inside handball. I lost this feeling that I had on the bench. I must get it back, I was tired just tired when I lost it.

Eurohandball.com: It must be hard to say goodbye after coaching a team for 18 years…

Javier Equisoain: It’s a pity to end a career of 18 years. But I was really tired. I was bored with handball. To tell you an example: I could not watch the entire final of the World Championship. I was not able to watch the game between Germany and Poland. Bored with a WCh final?! I need time to recover to return to coaching.

Eurohandball.com: Do you have offers already?

Javier Equisoain: Two clubs phoned me up, but I rejected their calls. I was not ready yet. I must find a new motivation and enjoy the game again. I’m not in a hurry. If I feel ready in June, perhaps I can return to the bench, to the competitions. I’m still young and I will surely return to active handball.

Eurohandball.com: What do you think about the new Portland?

Javier Equisoain: I was worried because of the last results in Valladolid and against GOG Gudme. However, the victory last weekend against CAI Aragon was very important. We showed our positive face and we think that the real Portland has returned. It was a very important victory to dismiss the doubts.

It is a difficult situation for Javier Cabanas. I talked him to express my support because he has spent only two months with the club. We can’t make more mistakes in the Asobal League, but we can rectify the draw against GOG by winning in Denmark. We have a very important match in Leon within three weeks. If we win, we will fight for the Asobal League again, but if we lose, we may have to reconsider our objectives.

Eurohandball.com: What are your plans with Portland for next season?

Javier Equisoain: We need a “bomb” – a “little bomb” – and I’m working on it. The core of the team is tied to the club until 2010, but we need two or three players to complete the team. Our objective is to reinforce the roster every season. We are working on signing these additional players.

TEXT: Fernando Urra Goñi