Dujshebaev: “We have to qualify for Rio 2016”

Five weeks after hosts Poland missed the EHF EURO Semi-finals which led to the subsequent resignation of coach Michel Biegler, his successor was announced by the Polish federation: 47-year-old Talant Dujshebaev.

Since January 2014 Dujshebaev is in charge of Polish champions and 2015 VELUX EHF FINAL4 participantsVive Tauron Kielce, now he works in a double function with his national team contract just being vaild until the end of August.

Until the end of the EHF EURO, Dujshebaev has been the coach of the Hungarian national team but after missing their major goal, a ticket to the Olympic Qualification Tournaments, they went separate ways.

Poland, on the other side, are the hosts of one of those tournaments, played from 8 to 10 April in Gdansk, when they face FYR Macedonia, Tunisia and Chile for two tickets to Rio.

In the upcoming months Dujshebaev will face even more challenges with the chance to qualify for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 again and to book the ticket for the World Championship 2017 in France when Poland face Netherlands in the play-offs.

The reason for his short-termed contract is that a new board at the Polish federation will be elected in September.

eurohandball.com: After losing the last EHF EURO main round match with Hungary against Sweden, you said: „If I were a Japanese coach, I now should commit Harakiri.“ Was it obvious that you will go separate ways right after the tournament?
Talant Dujshebaev: At first, I still feel very proud that I was appointed for the job with the Hungarian national team. We had a great cooperation for 15 months. The attitude and the results were positive until the EURO. There we had two major goals: Finishing among the eight best teams and qualifying for the Olympic Qualification Tournaments – I missed both of them, so in the end it was the consequence.

eurohandball.com: Even before the end of the EHF EURO, you had been tipped as potential successor of Michael Biegler, who resigned after Poland missed the qualification for the semi-finals. Was it another logical consequence that the Polish Federation appointed you, as you have been successfully working at Kielce since January 2014?
Talant Dujshebaev: Yes, maybe you could guess it at that early stage. I know most of the Polish national team players from Kielce. I work with them day by day. I know the Polish league and I speak Polish - so there were certain initial contacts right after Biegler’s resignation.

eurohandball.com: Did you never think about taking over this position even earlier?
Talant Dujshebaev: No, no, no - never! I have highest respect for Michael Biegler as a person and a coach. Never ever, I would have dared to take over, when he was still on duty. When he had resigned, I officially applied - never would I have even asked for the job earlier.

eurohandball.com: In total, twelve coaches applied for the position, finally you and Piotr Przybecki were the final candidates. Did you expect such a clear decision with 13:1 votes in your favour?
Talant Dujshebaev: This clear decision makes me proud and happy, and it clearly proves the trust they have in me - but I have to deliver results. It was planned that Piotr Przybecki would become my assistant coach, but he decided to take over Wisla Plock in the next season.

eurohandball.com: Your main task is to book the ticket for the Olympic Games in Rio. Isn’t the time to short to prepare the team as the qualification tournament will be staged from 8 to 10 April?
Talant Dujshebaev: No! I work with eight, nine of those national team players in Kielce on a daily basis and I know the rest of the team from the league. Besides, we have the major advantage on our side that we host the tournament.

And despite the respect for our opponents and not being arrogant I have to say that we are part of the easiest tournament. So it is an obligation for us to qualify for the Olympic Games. In this regard I again have to pull my hat and say ‘chapeau’ to Michael Biegler: Without his incredibly good job, that included winning the bronze medal at the World Championship 2015 in Qatar, we would have never been in this position. We owe him so much.

eurohandball.com: Right after the Olympic Qualification Tournament in Gdansk the next challenges are immediately waiting for you in both jobs: The VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne at end of May and the play-off matches against Netherlands for a ticket to the World Championship 2017 in France in the middle of June…
Talant Dujshebaev: Due to the new playing system, it would be an extra-ordinary achievement if Kielce made it to Cologne, as the road there is much steeper than before. In the play-offs, we are the favourite against Netherlands though they have constantly improved in the previous years.

eurohandball.com: Back to the EHF EURO and your family affair: Your son Alex failed to win the gold medal, losing the final with Spain against Germany. Did you have to console him?
Talant Dujshebaev: I first have to congratulate the German side, mainly their coach Dagur Sigurdsson, but also their vice president Bob Hanning, for this incredible triumph of will, passion and team spirit. I was really impressed, how they coped with all their injury problems.

In regards of Alex, no consolation was needed. Alex is an adult now. One year ago, prior to the World Championship in Qatar, he was a talent, now he is a fully-fledged member of the team. He has shown character and confidence - as his father I’m really proud on his development, regardless the fact that they missed the gold medal. In Krakow, he made the same experience as his father made decades ago, who lost a EURO final, too.

Photos: Sascha Klahn