Hrvoje, earlier than we get to HSG Wetzlar, a fast query concerning the World Cup. Do you’ve got an opinion on whether or not you’ll stay the coach of the Croatian nationwide group?
I finished and informed these in cost that I might totally consider my teaching job at Vetslar. I’ve talked to my household about it too, the twin dedication could be an excessive amount of. For now, EM and World Cup with Croatia is sufficient. Nevertheless, we had a robust match, we misplaced some extent towards Denmark and we should always have gained. But we misplaced the primary recreation. The boys have been too scorching towards Egypt, the group was too targeted to qualify for the quarter finals and the Olympics. But first you must 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 know the way harmful the scenario is?
Yes, after all, and we have now to be very cautious about it. Teams on the again finish are used to the scenario, 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 battle of relegation?
At Nexe we have been on the prime. But earlier than that, in Dubrava, after I took over the group, we have been nearly relegated, however then we went up and stayed in the course of the desk. It was a tough begin to my teaching profession and it was an analogous scenario to what occurred at HSG.
How does a coach intervene in such a scenario?
We have to verify everybody offers one hundred pc and the stress is off. Otherwise, it’s going to have a destructive impact on the person high quality of the gamers. You needn’t suppose an excessive amount of about one aim: staying within the league, and then you definately stumble. If you comply with that path, you’ll attain your aim. It’s not play by play, it is defensive sequence by defensive sequence, offense by offense. We should not fall into the lure of pondering solely of this one nice aim. I see that we’re getting ready very effectively and the kids are excellent.
But once more: what is your private evaluation of the HSG after a couple of weeks?
I’m coming to a brand new group and a brand new league. I’ve a fantastic ambition to take every thing to the subsequent stage. I get pleasure from each apply and my boys progress. Comfort, after all, is totally different.
Is the group too quiet, not supportive sufficient, does it want an actual chief?
There is uncertainty surrounding the result, and maybe that is the place the silence comes from. The leaders are actually returning to the group 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 crucial. Full management of the assault rests with the center man. All gamers achieve confidence and peace of thoughts after they see that they’re guided. Jonas Schelker carried out effectively. 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 very good temper and who is not. Magnus defuses the scenario and exonerates Jonas. I make a promise to the followers who hope to faithfully come to the world, 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 commonly do respiratory workout routines, that is why I’m calm. If I hold yelling as a coach, nobody will hear me in three weeks. It is vital to have the fitting authority within the group. 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 repute as a coach. Of course, I realized so much from my father. His expertise can’t be present in any ebook.
But your father educated and educated one other era of handball gamers as a coach…
Of course, with the alternative ways of speaking and the velocity of social media, avid gamers know every thing today. They may also 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 exhausting. Another needed extra permission between departments. I’ve quite a lot of private calls, however they’re by no means longer than six or eight minutes. Because boys have a a lot shorter consideration span today.
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 unravel someplace. Biceps or quads have their limits, you possibly can’t raise 5 tons. But the border is open within the thoughts. The HSG group has so much to supply, and I need 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 unravel the issue with the fitting again three gamers?
I do not know why Vladan Lipovina performed like that. One factor is for positive: Stefan Cavor is coming again, Jovica Nikolic is younger and able to improvement. We are pondering of giving up the participant and strengthening ourselves in one other place for a short while.
For protection?
In the relegation battle, it’s essential to defend effectively, be composed, give a hundred percent and extra. Especially in terms of giving up habits, it means investing every thing and doing it sensible. 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 informed him: All opponents must 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 a fantastic keep in December. Now we is not going to attempt anymore, however there are video games that we have to put together effectively. This space loves handball. We need to react, encourage the viewers and take them with us.
For you who reside in Dutenhofen, there is a threat of strolling across the village after dropping and driving 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.