Farewell interview with René Toft Hansen

 

René Toft Hansen leaves Telekom Veszprém after one season winning one Hungarian Championship and being a VELUX EHF Champions League finalist. Because of this occasion we made with him a longer interview about his year in the “city of queens”.

 

It was a very complicated season for me, because I got this injury. For the team, we wanted to play the three big finals in the championship, the cup and the Champions League. We made it to the final in all three, but unfortunately, we could only win one of them. All in all, I am happy with our season but for me personally, I would have like to play more, of course.

 

I am happy about my time that I spent here. My family had a very good year. My wife and kids enjoyed life in Veszprém. My daughter was very happy in the kindergarten. We were excited for this year. In handball, I wanted to play more, but it was impossible with this injury. Familywise, it was a very good year for me.

 

 

I chose Benfica because my body told me that I cannot take these big games anymore, the too much travelling, and hard battles. I listened to my body and I feel like the Portuguese league is not so hard to play and also Lisbon is a beautiful city. I hope that I can play handball on the court, and not just watch from the sideline because of injuries. I hope we can get a huge adventure with my family because we will live in a beautiful place in nice weather. I think it is going to be a great two years for my family on and off the court.

 

I chose Veszprém because the Bundesliga was really hard, and I had injuries. I wanted to come to a club where the league is not so hard and there is less travelling. In Kiel, we had to stay in hotels a lot of times, but Hungary is not so big so we did not have to do it here. I wanted to come and my dream was to play on the court, but it could not happen. My biggest dream was to win the Champions League because I did not think it is possible with a German team because of the strength of the Bundesliga. It was close, but we could not make it. I am still happy that I chose to play a year in Veszprém. It was a good time for me and my family.

 

The best thing for me was to take the Veszprém Supporters in my heart. It is really unbelievable how the Fans support the team. It does not matter how the season goes, they stand behind Veszprém. I knew it before that they are very dedicated and that they will always support the team. Now I really know how passionate they are for this Club. I was also happy about how they said goodbye to me after the last game in the Arena. When we were going around and high fiving everybody, after the game of Szeged. Everybody thanked me for everything I did for the club. Everyone was really thankful. I did not play much this season, and it was hard for me, but I am very thankful for how they said goodbye to me.

 

 

The most beautiful was Lake Balaton, where I lived. It is a great area to go with kids especially. There are lot of playgrounds and also an amazing view of the lake. It is beautiful. Everything is so green. Veszprém was also a great city, my kids loved it. Two very special places for me. When we played the big games in the Champions League and the games against Szeged, the Veszprém Arena was in fire, and it was a huge thing to experience it on the home side.

Mostly the things I already said. The big games in the Arena, the beautiful surroundings of Balaton. These are the things I will miss.

I would like to thank everyone at the Club, they were very helpful. If I had a problem, everyone helped me with them. I would also like to thank the Supporters for everything. I am very happy how they said goodbye to me.