The time has come for the first official commitment for Raimond Sassari. On Wednesday, 9 September at 18:00 the Rossoblù will face Pallamano Trieste at the PalaSantoru, thus opening their season in the Serie A Gold 2026/2027.
The match represents a particular start to the championship. It is, in fact, the advance fixture of the third matchday, originally scheduled for 23 September and subsequently brought forward because of Raimond's commitments in the EHF European Cup.
Sassari will therefore take to the court even before the first regular matchday of Serie A Gold, scheduled for 12 September.
Raimond restart after the Scudetto final
Expectations are inevitably high for the team coached by Ratko Durkovic.
Last season ended with Raimond in the Scudetto final, which they lost to Proger Cassano Magnago, who went on to win the first Italian title in their history.
During the summer, the Sassari club worked to strengthen and expand the roster, while retaining the objective of remaining among the upper echelons of Italian handball.
Captain Giovanni Nardin particularly highlighted the desire to return to playing for points after months of preparation, with the aim of immediately reconnecting with the PalaSantoru crowd as well.
Trieste immediately present a demanding challenge
The first obstacle will be one of the most prestigious clubs in Italian handball.
Trieste have 17 Scudetti, the championship's all-time record, and during the summer strengthened their squad with several international additions, including Øystein Midtun, Krzysztof Gądek, Cirilo and Matsvei Udavenia.
The challenge promises to be evenly balanced, also judging by last season. In the most recent meeting played in Sassari, on 27 September 2025, Raimond and Trieste drew 38-38, with the Friulians managing to snatch a draw at the end.
For Durkovic's team, it will therefore immediately be a useful test of their fitness and new balance after the pre-season.
Raimond Sassari-Trieste: kick-off time and where to watch
The match will be played on Wednesday 9 September at 18:00 at the PalaSantoru in Sassari.
The match will also be available free to stream live on PallamanoTV and on the YouTube channel of the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Handball.
Match: Raimond Sassari-Trieste Competition: Serie A Gold 2026/2027 Matchday: advance fixture of the 3rd matchday Date: Wednesday 9 September 2026 Time: 18:00 Venue: PalaSantoru, Sassari Streaming: PallamanoTV and YouTube FIGH
We had already analysed the unusual schedule for the new season in our feature on Raimond Sassari-Trieste and the 9 September advance fixture.
After a season that ended one step away from the Scudetto, Raimond's new campaign will therefore begin in front of the Sassari crowd and against an opponent with a great tradition.