Häusler: Experience is a true asset

Jens Häusler has been a member of the HSV Hamburg coaching staff since 2012, becoming the ‘boss’ for the second time following the dismissal of Christian Gaudin in December. 

After this season Michael Biegler will take over HSV and Häusler will return to his assistant position. 

Before the change, Häusler wants Hamburg to make history and join the list of clubs that have won all three major European Cup competitions. 

Hamburg won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 2007 and the VELUX EHF Champions League in 2013. 

eurohandball.com: Hamburg faced Füchse Berlin (in Bundesliga) and Gorenje Velenje (in the EHF Cup) already twice this season. Was it a logical matter that you would play the semi-final against Skjern?

Jens Häusler: It is our clearly defined goal to win this trophy, so it does not matter which team we face first, as we have to win both matches in Berlin.

eurohandball.com: Thanks to the successful VELUX EHF FINAL4 2013 in Cologne, Hamburg have the experience of how to win two matches within 24 hours – is HSV thus the favourite?

Jens Häusler: I don’t think so. Our squad is different compared to 2013 and most importantly it is not as deep. We have a good team, but we do not have the same options and alternatives we had in Cologne when we had two full teams. But we are lucky to have the first semi-final in Berlin and so have more time to recover if we manage to qualify for the final.

eurohandball.com: How important is it to count on experienced players like Johannes Bitter, Pascal Hens and Torsten Jansen?

Jens Häusler: They are truly assets for the team because of their experience. In an event like the EHF Cup Finals it is not only about the attitude and the impetus, but also the experience – and we have it.

eurohandball.com: After the semi-final draw a lot of people said that the gate is open for an all-German final. Do you agree?

Jens Häusler: The final outcome of the event is fully open. Each of the four teams have the same opportunity to make it to the final, as all four teams have proved during the competition that they deserve to be part of the EHF Cup Finals. 

eurohandball.com: Will the EHF Cup Finals be a special event for you, as after this season your mission as a head coach is over?

Jens Häusler: It is always something special if you are responsible for a team. It is not special for me because of taking over the assistant coach position after the season, but because of the special attraction of it being the final event of a European competition.

eurohandball.com: If HSV take the trophy the club would belong to the very small number of teams that have won all European Cup competitions – is it an additional motivation for you and your players?

Jens Häusler: Indeed! It is attractive too, as the winner of the EHF Cup Finals qualifies for next season’s EHF Cup, and we want to keep playing on the international stage.