Hrvoje, earlier than we get to HSG Wetzlar, a fast query concerning the World Cup. Do you have got an opinion on whether or not you’ll stay the coach of the Croatian nationwide staff?
I ended and advised 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 can be an excessive amount of. For now, EM and World Cup with Croatia is sufficient. Nevertheless, we had a powerful event, we misplaced some extent in opposition to Denmark and we should always have gained. But we misplaced the primary sport. The boys have been too scorching in opposition to Egypt, the staff was too targeted 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 high performances to outlive the relegation battle. Does everybody right here understand how harmful the scenario is?
Yes, after all, and we now have 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 wrestle of relegation?
At Nexe we have been on the high. But earlier than that, in Dubrava, once I took over the staff, we have been virtually relegated, however then we went up and stayed in the course of the desk. It was a troublesome 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 provides one hundred pc and the stress is off. Otherwise, it can have a detrimental impact on the person high quality of the gamers. You needn’t 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 making ready very properly and the youngsters are superb.
But once more: what is your private evaluation of the HSG after a couple of weeks?
I’m coming to a brand new staff and a brand new league. I’ve an incredible ambition to take all the things to the subsequent degree. I get pleasure from each observe and my boys progress. Comfort, after all, is completely different.
Is the staff 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 staff with Stefan Cavor and Magnus Fredriksen. It additionally means aid for others. Khaki is a giant 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 once 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 turned the primary at his place, and there was a little bit of a shock about it. I speak lots 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 scenario 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 house video games: everybody will give their all, together with their physique language.
They appear very quiet. Are you loud?
I repeatedly do respiration workouts, that is why I’m calm. If I hold yelling as a coach, nobody will hear me in three weeks. It is essential to have the proper authority within the staff. It solely works for a short while with screaming and shaking. If you make a participant higher and he sees it, it is good on your popularity as a coach. Of course, I realized lots from my father. His expertise can’t be present in any e-book.
But your father skilled and skilled one other technology of handball gamers as a coach…
Of course, with the alternative ways of speaking and the pace of social media, players know all the things as of late. They can even discover that your coaching as a coach is poor. To handle them, you should perceive them. One desires you to stroke him, the opposite must work arduous. Another wished extra permission between departments. I’ve a whole 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 as of late.
What do you consider psychological workouts?
I had this on Nexe, it helps guys lots. How do you take care of stress? Everyone has a knot to resolve someplace. Biceps or quads have their limits, you possibly can’t raise 5 tons. But the border is open within the thoughts. The HSG staff has lots 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 proper 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, you should defend properly, be composed, give a hundred percent and extra. Especially in the case of giving up conduct, it means investing all the things and doing it good. It is essential to be calm within the assault, focus and take duty for every ball. This is the mantra. Hendrik Wagner strikes to the within block, so there is lots to find. I advised 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 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 reside in Dutenhofen, there is a danger of strolling across the village after dropping and using in a sedan chair while you win…
Oh, I’m Croatian. We’re world champions at throwing events at our home, and we’re additionally world champions at cursing.