2013. Apr. 26. Friday, 11:23

Good team, good community

Soon a real handball madness will overcome on the capital of the Bakony. The first foreshadows has already stolen in the life of town and its favourit sport team.

Fans prepare for the Champions league derby against THW Kiel feverishly. The management and all employees are working on that every criterions will be given and the best before the most important clash of MKB Veszprem's history.

Only the protagonists are calm, at least there was not noticeable any kind of upset on the faces after the training in the mid-week. This is no surprise, professional athletes can organise not only their physiques but also they are able to concentrate mental strength as well.

There was not any kind of particular concern noticeable on Jose Maria Rodriguez Vaquero before Saturday's derby. It is true that the Spanish play-maker, who is called simply Chema by the fans, experienced a lot of great battles during his career.

- When You arrived in Veszprem in the last year You said that the team tries to get into the narrow elite, and it is sympathetic. Did you ever think that you can reach the elite's goal so quickly?

- This was the aim, so yes, I expected it. But now, we are still far from the Final Four appearances. In order to change our dreams true we have to beat the team of Kiel. The fusion of the 2 styles -Hungarian and Spanish- still prove winner. Yes, I am very surprised that we managed to incorporate the new tactical elements in such a short time. In addition to that, owing to the Olympic appearances we had much less time for it than it is usual. The curtness of the time caused some confusion, overall we can be satisfied.

- If we look at the nationalities, MKB Veszprem perhaps is more colorful than ever. There are no communication problems?

- The languege of the handball is international, so we understand each other very well. However, it is more important that in the recent times we have become to a good team, in addition to a great group of good friends formed. Therefore, often a flash is enough to understand what the other person wants.

- As an experienced professional player, what did you think before the first match against Kiel?

- That the rival is the defending champion of the CL, and they are a very strong team. I found them more chance and I do not think otherwise, since they won by one goal so they have the lead.

- The first act of the duel was very interesting and informative. You 'handballed out' the German champion until the 55th minutes, but in the finish they were able to turn till end. What is your assessment?

- We have to see that against such opponents as Kiel it is in the deck that a greater lead can melt as well. The Kiel or Barcelona are the teams, in which home it is extremely difficult to perform well, concentrate on sixty minutes. Unfortunately, we were not able to do that, in the run we lost some ball, we made mistakes, therefore they could score relatively easy goals and there were suspensions as well.

- The fans of Veszprem will mobilize all their forces for success. By the way, can you remember what kind of feeling is to step onto the field in the Veszprem Arena as opponent? Fearful?

- I was never afraid, but with my mates we know that one of the loudest and the best atmosphere hall in the world is waiting for us in Veszprem. Fans can put an incredible pressure to the opponent. Sure, the Kiel is an experienced team which played a lot of big struggles in the same atmosphere, so certainly this will not cast them back. Yet I tell you that the fans can mean the difference between the 2 teams, but not from the Germans point of view, but also from our own. The fantastic spectators bring us one or two extra goals in every match.

He loves to be here, but sunshine could be more. Chema’s experiences to date in Hungary, as far as life outside of handball can be summed with the above sentence. The 33-year-old world champion, twice Champions League winner play-maker now lives in Veszprem alone because his wife, Laura gave birth to their twins –Alex and Daniella- in Spain because of the complications. Luckily, all the three are doing well and they join to Chema in the summer. I really like the people here who are friendly and helpful. I love the environment of the city and surrounding area is beautiful. So I feel good, which is hard for me to get used to the early winter dark and deserted streets at this time. And also this is about the early emergence added with a laugh.

Written by Gábor Horváth – Veszprém Megyei Napló

Translated by Gergő Aranyi

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