Farewell interview with Iman Jamali

 

Iman Jamali leaves Telekom Veszprém after five years and with four Hungarian championship titles and four Hungarian Cup title. Here is his farewell interview.

 

 

We never thought in October that we are going to be in the Final4, or win the league. I think David Davis was an important and positive transfer to Veszprém and we really needed this change. I am so happy for them because he is a really good coach and a person who I love. He is very honest and does everything the right way. I think that is why we got the result, because he worked with heart and gave love and work to everyone in the team. That is why Veszprém got together by the Final4 as a team, and not just players. This is the change what Veszprém needed. I am very proud that I could be a part of this team. I am also sad, that I had to finish my career in Veszprém with an injury. The season was very good in the end, and I am sorry that we could not win Champions League because Veszprém deserved it more than anyone. Not because of the players and coach, but because of the Fans, the Club and the sponsors. They really support the team. We had everything. I wish that Veszprém will win the CL in the future and get what they deserve.

 

In the first year I came here, I did not know anything about Veszprém. I was a 20 years old guy, and I was impressed how big the Club is, and the Fans and all of Veszprém together. It was a huge step in my life, that I was dreaming all my life. The first two years were a great experience, until I got injured. Then I went to Kristianstad and Brest, I worked hard there because my motivation was to come back to Veszprém. It was the biggest goal. It is why I played really good in these two teams. I fell in love with Veszprém in my fist two years, the city, the Fans and the Club itself. I felt home. I wanted to be back. When I came back last year, things did not go as I hoped. I did not play with Vranjes on the bench, although he wanted me back in the team. The last two years are not that I am going to remember well. When Coach Davis came, I felt good again. The most hurtful of my injury is that I felt good, and I was able to play, also I felt really good with Coach Davis and with the team. I am going to work really hard, to step forward and achieve the new goals in my future.

 

 

In Iran, handball is not so big. When I arrived to Veszprém, to the biggest handball city in the world, I was shocked. We had full house on our Champions League games. People on the streets started to recognize me and said hello. It is a great memory for me. This was the biggest difference compared to Iran. To play with László Nagy, or Chema Rodriguez made me feel proud to be able to be part of this team and to be their teammates. These are the best things from my first year.

 

I had good matches against Ademar Leon in my first year, because the year before they knocked out Veszprém. We had the chance to advance against them in my first year, and I think I scored 12 goals in two games, I do not remember exactly. I had good games against Szeged in the Hungarian finals and also the games against Kiel. These are my best memories.

 

 

The most beautiful was the first time we qualified to the Final4. That was the most beautiful because it was the first time for Veszprém. I think we beat PSG for that. That is one of the best memories. The most hurtful are the games we lost this season with Vranjes. I was really fit and strong, especially before the game against Vardar that we lost at home. I had a good preseason and I was in good shape. I wanted to help the team but he did not let me. It hurts a lot. The most painful is when you are fit and strong to help the team, but do not get the chance.

 

Because of the Veszprém fans I really felt like home here. Since I am finished here, I got like a hundred messages from fans that they are waiting for me to come back and do not want me to leave. This is the most beautiful for me, that the people love me, and I feel that. Not just during the games, but when they stop me on the streets. I just wanted to say thanks to them, and those who helped me in my career. Thanks to my coaches for helping me. Also, huge thanks to Mr. Csaba Hajnal, who brought me to Veszprém, and believed in me to sign a five years contract. He was the only one who believed in me and gave me self-confidence he compared me to big players like Carlos Perez. I hope Veszprém will win the Champions League, and I would be happy to wear the Veszprém jersey once again, in a much better way, to be helpful and useful for the team.