Farewell interview with Roland Mikler

 

Roland Mikler leaves Telekom Veszprém after five seasons winning four Hungarian Championships and four Hungarian Cups. Because of this occasion, we made a longer interview with him about his years in our city.

 

 

A lot of people have said already, that we take this season in as from where the team progressed to where. It is a sensational thing that we have reached the Final4. Until then, the team showed such a performance, such an improvement, that was beyond man. But somehow, I still feel like that since we qualified and since we were there and present with the opportunity, why did we not grab it. Of course, we have to think about it for a few days or weeks, and we have to process it, then everyone has to concentrate on their next challenge. Those who go to their national teams, on that, those who go on vacation on that. We have to focus on the new tasks as soon as possible.

 

These five years in my life and in my career are the most beautiful, and most successful. This was my most determinative period, these five years, so it hard to say goodbye from the team, the city, and everyone, who surrounded this team. There were easier times and harder times as well, but I always worked towards being better.

 

Veszprém was way above the Hungarian league at that time. My goals were the same as Veszprém’s. To be a champions, cup winner and Champions League winner. To win everything the team participates in. Our goals were the same. Unfortunately, one tiny thing, which is the biggest thing, could not happen, but we cannot do anything about it not sadly.

 

 

The very first game that come to my mind is the Sparkassen cup in Germany. It was by debut. From then on, a lot of Hungarian championship games, Champions League games, and when we participated in the SEHA League, with the lot of travelling. They meant a lot for me and for my development and improvement. We could not underestimate any of the teams, because it was a good league, and I could get to experience how it feels like to play a game after a long travel. Every single game gave something to my development.

 

I would like to highlight Haris Porobic. I would put him in the first position because we have arrived here together. We worked together for nine years, and were side by side in good and bad. There were harder times for him and for me as well, but I always felt like I can turn to him anytime, and I did it as well. Everyone was helpful and positive towards me in the office of the Club. Everyone I turned to, gave me something positive. My teammates were always supporting me, and I felt good when they offered their help or just congratulated me. I always got the help from my coaches during my career, and always gave me the opportunity to perform. I can only list positive things.

 

I would say that the first one and the last one, because somehow both finished the same. The season was good, the team qualified for the Final4, but at the end we could not win the Champions League. The taste in my mouth kid of feels the same, but this season was the one, where I felt that my performance was the most balanced, from when the important change in the life of the team happened.

 

 

This season, I would think that the away game against Flensburg was the best, and the away game against Löwen, where I finished with 22 saves. In my first season, I had some important games against PSG too. I would say these ones.

 

The worst memories are the three lost Champions League finals. The most beautiful ones are always the ones, when we qualified for the Final4. Those moments, when we reached that period in the road, were always memorable ones. Probably, I would not say the Final4 itself, because we were not able to put the cherry on top any of the times, although we reached the final. When you qualify for the Final4, it is wonderful. It is great to play there, but if you cannot achieve what you want, it just all fade away.

 

I do not want to say a name here, because he might think that I am afraid of him. (Laughs)

 

The shots of Momir Ilic are special. It is hard to save his shots. From the line Andreas Nilsson’s shots are hard to save. Every save is hard.

 

I might sound like a cliché, but everything. The team, the atmosphere surrounding, so everything. I will miss everything, but unfortunately this is the professional life and we have to carry on and do the next tasks.

 

I would like to say thanks to anyone who helped my career, even if it was a nice word, a high five or a wink. Thanks to the Fans, who supported me, and even when they did not, because it added more to my career. Everyone, who was close to the team, my teammates and everyone who helped our work, and to form a unit. Really, thank you for everything.