Hrvoje, earlier than we get to HSG Wetzlar, a fast query concerning the World Cup. Do you’ve an opinion on whether or not you’ll stay the coach of the Croatian nationwide workforce?
I ended and informed 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 could be an excessive amount of. For now, EM and World Cup with Croatia is sufficient. Nevertheless, we had a powerful event, we misplaced a degree in opposition to Denmark and we should always have received. But we misplaced the primary sport. The boys have been too scorching in opposition to Egypt, the workforce was too centered to qualify for the quarter finals and the Olympics. But first it’s a must 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 know the way harmful the scenario is?
Yes, in fact, and we’ve got 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 vitality.
Do you actually know the wrestle of relegation?
At Nexe we have been on the prime. But earlier than that, in Dubrava, once I took over the workforce, 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 the same scenario to what occurred at HSG.
How does a coach intervene in such a scenario?
We have to ensure everybody offers one hundred pc and the stress is off. Otherwise, it is going to have a unfavourable impact on the person high quality of the gamers. You need not suppose an excessive amount of about one purpose: staying within the league, and then you definitely stumble. If you observe that path, you’ll attain your purpose. 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 purpose. I see that we’re getting ready very effectively and the youngsters 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 workforce and a brand new league. I’ve an ideal ambition to take every part to the subsequent stage. I take pleasure in each observe and my boys progress. Comfort, in fact, is completely different.
Is the workforce 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 workforce with Stefan Cavor and Magnus Fredriksen. It additionally means aid 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 growth 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 recurrently do respiration workout routines, that is why I’m calm. If I preserve yelling as a coach, nobody will hear me in three weeks. It is necessary to have the correct authority within the workforce. It solely works for a short while with screaming and shaking. If you make a participant higher and he sees it, it is good in your repute as a coach. Of course, I discovered 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 other ways of speaking and the velocity of social media, players know every part as of late. They can even discover that your coaching as a coach is poor. To handle them, you need to perceive them. One desires you to stroke him, the opposite must work exhausting. Another wished extra permission between departments. I’ve plenty 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 take care of stress? Everyone has a knot to unravel someplace. Biceps or quads have their limits, you possibly can’t carry 5 tons. But the border is open within the thoughts. The HSG workforce 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 unravel the issue with the correct 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 growth. 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, you might want to defend effectively, be composed, give 100% and extra. Especially relating to giving up habits, it means investing every part 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 so much to find. I informed him: All opponents needs 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 ideal 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 stay in Dutenhofen, there is a threat of strolling across the village after shedding and driving in a sedan chair if you win…
Oh, I’m Croatian. We’re world champions at throwing events at our home, and we’re additionally world champions at cursing.