Heinevetter: "Only focused on the Czechs"

For the first time in his career, goalkeeper Silvio Heinevetter will be the clear number one in the German team at a major tournament. The 27-year-old keeper of Füchse Berlin finds himself in this position after Johannes Bitter resigned from the national team.

In this interview with ehf-euro.com Heinevetter explains the German objectives and talks about the final part of the preparation before their first EHF EURO match on Sunday against Czech Republic.

ehf-euro.com: How would you explain the final part of the EHF EURO preparation?

Silvio Heinevetter: At first I started the New Year quite relaxed. Then the training sessions became very hard, physically and mentally, but of course, we don’t have too much time.

Our final test matches against Hungary were a little bit like a roller coaster. In our victorious first match we played really well, but then our attack was too weak in the second.

ehf-euro.com: What has changed in your team since Martin Heuberger became the new national coach?

Silvio Heinevetter: The players are much more involved in all decisions. We are part of the decision-making process and so we have more responsibility for the way we play. The training sessions have changed a little, but the team hasn’t changed that much compared to 2011.

ehf-euro.com: How is the atmosphere in your team just a few days before the start of the EHF EURO?

Silvio Heinevetter: Very good, as we all know the importance of the EHF EURO. We have intensively prepared for the tournament and the way we can reach our major goal, to get one ticket to the Olympic qualification. We are absolutely focused on our first match against Czech Republic, as this is our key for a successful EHF EURO.

ehf-euro.com: What is your opinion about the other opponents in the Preliminary Round?

Silvio Heinevetter: We haven’t had a single thought about Sweden and FYR Macedonia, as we’re only concentrating on the Czechs right now. If we lose, it will be really hard to go for the Olympic qualification. If we beat them, the gate to the Main Round is widely open. Therefore, our objectives are clearly marked.

ehf-euro.com: You said that, physically, the German team is well prepared. What about the tactical point of view?

Silvio Heinevetter: We have found the ideal composition of our team, which was missing at the Supercup, when we were defeated by Spain, Sweden and Denmark, as we changed and rotated too much. The time of testing is over and now only the EHF EURO games count.

ehf-euro.com: You are one of the more experienced German players. How important are the experienced players for the whole team?

Silvio Heinevetter: One shouldn’t only talk about the experienced players, as the ‘young guns’ also have to take responsibility.

Further information

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