Interview with Árpád Sterbik

 

It became official today that Árpád Sterbik continues his career in Veszprém from 1 July 2018. Our chat with the world-class player can be found below.

 

I had many offers, but I could not refuse the call from Veszprém. Fighting for the highest titles kept me alive and in this level throughout my whole career. It started when I came to Veszprém for the first time where I could play in the Champions League and expectation got higher and higher every year. It was true to my other destinations as well. Telekom Veszprém is in the few best teams of Europe that is why it was never a question for me where to sign.

 

 

Veszprém was my first professional club where I could compete in a serious championship and in the Champions League too. It was a huge experience for me from the first moment. A great group of players played there with whom we reached the final of the Champions League. I can also mention all the clashes against Szeged so there were a lot of good memories.

 

I always come to Veszprém with joy and I often spend my free time there. I have many friends and acquaintances around there from the good old times as a Veszprém player. I feel myself at home in Veszprém that is why I love going to the Arena. The Fans always have a warm welcome for me. I had games with positive and negative outcomes there but the Supporters were always nice to me no matter what. I loved that because it meant that they honor me and respect me.

 

As I have already mentioned the motivation means a lot. It is harder to play in a smaller team where there are no real big goals, it would be harder for me to stay in this level. It is important for a player to avoid injuries. Luckily I did not have a problem with that in the last years. The most important thing, however, is to be mentally healthy and to always find a motivation. I have been playing in the Champions League for 16-17 years now and I always tried to concentrate on the next game. I always tried to keep a certain level to prove for myself, my family, my club and for the fans game by game. I have great will in me to prove. This is what keeps me in this level. I am always hungry for success. When I arrived to Vardar this is what was in front of me, to be better and better and to do something for the ages. The will to win everything is great in me. This is what drives me everyday.

 

Everybody dreams about winning the Champions League, the favorites and the non-favorites also. You have to play well through the whole series, from game to game because your place in the group will influence your road to Cologne. For me it was the most important every year to qualify for the Final4 and while we are there, we can figure out how to win it. Every team gets stronger and stronger year by year and it is never sure if you can get to the best 4. The Final4 is basically a 24 hour tournament to which you have to prepare well mentally and you have to have the teamwork ready. Besides this, you need luck to have injuries avoid you in those two days, furthermore only a goal or two will decide many games.

 

 

Every time you win something for the first time will become the most memorable. When you experience great success for the first time is the most fantastic. For me it is when I won my first CL trophy with Ciudad Real. After that, the more you win something the less the excitement is for the team and fans as well.

 

I spend my free time relaxing but when my children arrive home from school and I arrive home from training, things get faster in our home. I am a relaxed person both on and off the court. Naturally, I can be nervous sometimes according to the situation but off the court, I am a relaxed person. I do not have a hobby because handball is my life. I watch a lot of games if I have time. I watch my former teammates mostly.

 

The team of Telekom Veszprém will do anything for success in the future as well. I will give my maximum effort every time. It may mean five saves but it can mean 20 on any given game. Of course, I am happier with the last option but the most important for me is to go home with a clear conscience after a game. I will give my best for Veszprém to achieve their dreams and to achieve great results with the team. The Supporters have been standing behind the team for a lot of years now and I hope that it will be the same for the years to come. They give a big extra help for the team.

 

Photos: SEHA League and Zsolt Melczer