Hrvoje, earlier than we get to HSG Wetzlar, a fast query in regards to the World Cup. Do you could have an opinion on whether or not you’ll stay the coach of the Croatian nationwide crew?
I finished and instructed these in cost that I’d totally think about my teaching job at Vetslar. I’ve talked to my household about it too, the twin dedication can be an excessive amount of. For now, EM and World Cup with Croatia is sufficient. Nevertheless, we had a robust event, we misplaced some extent in opposition to Denmark and we must always have received. But we misplaced the primary sport. The boys had been too scorching in opposition to Egypt, the crew was too centered to qualify for the quarter finals and the Olympics. But first it’s important to get there. Otherwise, you’ll overlook to name in your highest efficiency at essential moments.
Which brings us to the Bundesliga and Wetzlar. HSG want prime performances to outlive the relegation battle. Does everybody right here understand how harmful the state of affairs is?
Yes, after all, and we’ve to be very cautious about it. Teams on the again finish are used to the state of affairs, particularly Minden. My gamers and I do know the place we’re within the desk. We want all our focus and power.
Do you actually know the wrestle of relegation?
At Nexe we had been on the prime. But earlier than that, in Dubrava, after I took over the crew, we had been virtually relegated, however then we went up and stayed in the midst of the desk. It was a troublesome begin to my teaching profession and it was an analogous state of affairs to what occurred at HSG.
How does a coach intervene in such a state of affairs?
We have to verify everybody provides 100% and the strain is off. Otherwise, it can have a adverse impact on the person high quality of the gamers. You need not suppose an excessive amount of about one objective: staying within the league, and then you definately stumble. If you comply with that path, you’ll attain your objective. It’s not play by play, it is defensive sequence by defensive sequence, offense by offense. We should not fall into the lure of considering solely of this one nice objective. I see that we’re getting ready very properly and the youngsters are superb.
But once more: what is your private evaluation of the HSG after just a few weeks?
I’m coming to a brand new crew and a brand new league. I’ve an incredible ambition to take every thing to the following degree. I get pleasure from each apply and my boys progress. Comfort, after all, is totally different.
Is the crew too quiet, not supportive sufficient, does it want an actual chief?
There is uncertainty surrounding the end result, and maybe that is the place the silence comes from. The leaders are actually returning to the crew with Stefan Cavor and Magnus Fredriksen. It additionally means reduction for others. Khaki is an enormous increase for the second half of the season. Magnus is additionally essential. Full management of the assault rests with the center man. All gamers acquire confidence and peace of thoughts after they see that they’re guided. Jonas Schelker carried out properly. But he got here into improvement as a quantity two, then in a single day grew to become the primary at his place, and there was a little bit of a shock about it. I discuss so much with Shchelki, additionally to guard him. We want a center man to set the tempo, to see who is in a superb temper and who is not. Magnus defuses the state of affairs and exonerates Jonas. I make a promise to the followers who hope to faithfully come to the sector, and who I naturally belief at our residence video games: everybody will give their all, together with their physique language.
They appear very quiet. Are you loud?
I repeatedly do respiratory workout routines, that is why I’m calm. If I preserve yelling as a coach, nobody will hear me in three weeks. It is essential to have the precise authority within the crew. It solely works for a short while with screaming and shaking. If you make a participant higher and he sees it, it is good to your popularity as a coach. Of course, I realized so much from my father. His expertise can’t be present in any e book.
But your father skilled and skilled one other era of handball gamers as a coach…
Of course, with the alternative ways of speaking and the velocity of social media, players know every thing as of late. They can even discover that your coaching as a coach is poor. To handle them, you need to perceive them. One needs you to stroke him, the opposite must work onerous. Another wished extra permission between departments. I’ve a number of private calls, however they’re by no means longer than six or eight minutes. Because boys have a a lot shorter consideration span as of late.
What do you consider psychological workout routines?
I had this on Nexe, it helps guys so much. How do you cope with stress? Everyone has a knot to resolve someplace. Biceps or quads have their limits, you possibly can’t carry 5 tons. But the border is open within the thoughts. The HSG crew has so much to supply, and I wish to uncover these reserves myself. But in the long term, psychological coaching additionally helps each skilled athlete.
An instance is Vladan Lipovina, who till now has solely partially used his artwork. How to resolve the issue with the precise again three gamers?
I do not know why Vladan Lipovina performed like that. One factor is for certain: Stefan Cavor is coming again, Jovica Nikolic is younger and able to improvement. We are considering of giving up the participant and strengthening ourselves in one other place for a short while.
For protection?
In the relegation battle, that you must defend properly, be composed, give 100% and extra. Especially relating to giving up habits, it means investing every thing and doing it good. It is essential to be calm within the assault, focus and take accountability for every ball. This is the mantra. Hendrik Wagner strikes to the within block, so there is so much to find. I instructed him: All opponents ought to be afraid of you.
On Saturday we journey to Flensburg for the cup after which Hannover come to Wetzlar to renew the Bundesliga. Is a brief preparation time sufficient?
I had an incredible keep in December. Now we won’t strive anymore, however there are video games that we have to put together properly. This space loves handball. We should react, encourage the viewers and take them with us.
For you who stay in Dutenhofen, there is a danger of strolling across the village after shedding and using in a sedan chair whenever you win…
Oh, I’m Croatian. We’re world champions at throwing events at our home, and we’re additionally world champions at cursing.