19.05.2016, 05:00
Hampus Wanne feels no stress

UNSUNG HEROES: After nearly three years with Flensburg, unsung hero of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2014 Hampus Wanne has really developed into the shooting star he was expected to be

Hampus Wanne feels no stress

Lately, Hampus Wanne has been a hot name at SG Flensburg-Handewitt.

The 22-year-old Swedish left wing, who joined the North German club in the summer of 2013, has seen a lot of court time recently and he has administered it well.

Gradually, he has earned more and more time on the court over the past two seasons, where he has been standing less in the shadow of 34-year-old Dane Anders Eggert.

And to Hampus Wanne, the waiting time get his time in the limelight has been a natural thing.

“When I joined, it was obvious that I was in for a learning process.

“I was going to learn from Anders Eggert and I must really say that I have learned a lot from him – about shooting penalties, about shooting from the wing, everything.

“In fact, I would say that Anders has taught me more than it was reasonable to expect, and I have a lot to thank him for today,” says Hampus Wanne.

“However, it has also been cool to get more responsibility and match practice, and for instance, playing away against Kiel in the Bundesliga recently (28:26 for Flensburg) was a really great experience,” says Wanne, who came to the club from Swedish second league team Önnered in 2013.

“It is almost obvious that it was an enormous change and when I first came here it was like two different worlds, I was not really sure what to expect.

“Now, however, I can see that I did the right thing back then.

“The first year, I spent a lot of time on the bench, but in my second and third season here, I have played more and that has been great, of course,” says the young Swede, who recently extended his contract with Flensburg until 2019.

Aiming to be the new Anders Eggert

“I expect to develop even further in Flensburg, and of course, I will not be content with sitting on the bench.

“My ambition is to become number one on the left wing in Flensburg.

“I want to be the new Anders Eggert here”

He has already played an important part in many great matches for Flensburg, and it is a bit difficult for him to point out his greatest moment so far.

“Playing Barcelona, Kiel and Kielce have all been great experiences, and of course, winning the Champions League already in my first year with the club was fantastic,” remembers Wanne, sent on the court as Flensburg were five goals down against FC Barcelona in the second half of the semi-final of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2014.

With three goals in the rest of the match and one in the penalty shootout, he certainly played his part in Flensburg qualifying for the final.

“I remember Bogdan Radivojevic was sent on at the same time and I think we felt that we had nothing to lose at that point.

“Then, in no time, Bogdan and I scored probably five goals all together in counter attacks and all of a sudden we were back in the game,” he remembers.

This season, he has the chance to experience another great triumph.

Sitting just one point behind Rhein-Neckar Löwen at the top of the Bundesliga with three matches remaining, Flensburg still have a chance to become German champions this season.

No rush to reach national team

Considering his impressive performances at club level lately, it might come as a surprise to some that he is still waiting for his debut in the Swedish national team.

However, it does not bother him much that Sweden’s national coaches, Staffan Olsson and Ola Lindgren have not been looking his way yet.

“I feel no stress regarding the national team. Of course, it is my ambition to play for Sweden, but I understand if the coaches prefer players who play all the time, even though they play for clubs at a lower level than I do.

“I have seen several players, who had their debut in the national team around the age of 20, and who then say no thanks to national team before they reach 30, because they are worn out.

“I do not want to end up like that. Of course, I want to be in the national team, but I am in no hurry, and I am sure my time will come,” says Hampus Wanne with that quiet self-confidence which seems to be so typical for him.

TEXT: Peter Bruun / cor