Interview with Gergő Iváncsik

Gergő Iváncsik, player of Telekom Veszprém announced his retirement from the Hungarian National Team. Our left winger shared his thoughts on his career in the National Team.

 

It was a long process. A year ago when we played in the European Championship we had a different team. The goal there was to qualify for the Olympic qualifier tournament and from there to the Olympics. Of course our chances were short but we tried to do it. At that time I had that in my mind that it would be nice to say goodbye from the national team with an Olympic tournament behind my back. Unfortunately it did not happen. After that we managed to qualify for the next big event, the World Championship, and I was wondering if I should participate or not. As soon as I heard that we are going with our usual team I felt happy. I thought that it would be nice to achieve a good result in a World Championship after that European Championship a year before. I felt that it is great opportunity to play with the guys for the last time and say goodbye to the National Team in a world competition. Of course I wanted to play because every professional athlete has the same goal but in the same time an athlete knows to assign himself for the interest of the team. So I did that and I have no bad feelings towards anybody.

 

 

The whole situation lives in my head vividly. As I was sitting on the bench with the guys and was able to play a few minutes. It lives in me very pretty much because that was the moment when a new period started in my life. I have just signed for Veszprém, as a youngster, and just became a member of the National Team. I was very happy about it and it still lives in my head to this day. My career started with the National Team and I have many happy memories from this 17 years. I was surrounded by great players both on and off the court. I had many great coaches who put faith in me and invited me to the team over and over again. Lots of great memories from the team, the players, the coaches, the management and of course from the fans too. I cannot highlight anything specific because this 17 years were so wonderful with these people. This is a thing no can take away from me. It was a wonderful 17 years in the National Team.

 

We played a qualifier against Slovenia. It was an important match because if I remember correctly we lost there with a few goals. We managed to win at home but the goal difference was very important. It was a very good game. The team started a long journey on the road of success. We qualified for the World Championships and scored a position to play Olympic qualifier. We qualified for the Olympics and finished in 4th place there. It was a fantastic series. That game against Slovenia is a sweet memory but fortunately there are many more.

 

 

As a child we followed our father to his games and we have seen a lot of games of his. Not just on spot but in television also. One of his games is still in my head. It is the World Championship final of 1986. We watched that game numerous times. That game followed me throughout my whole career. It inspired me and did even so when I became the member of the National Team. I wanted to achieve similar results as my dad. The goal was set. I think that I can say that I have managed to achieve those goals that I set for myself as a kid and I could follow my father's footsteps. I am happy that I have had the opportunity to play on those competitions that I used to watch on television as a kid. My dreams came true. I was part of many world competitions and 2 Olympics. I am very happy about that.

 

Of course. I would like to thank everyone I have played with over the 17 years. I am thankful that I could play alongside them and be part of world competitions and training camps with them. I would like to thank the coaches I worked with over the years. I would like to thank the Federation for trusting me and inviting me back over and over again. I would like to thank the physios and the doctors because every time we had some problems they were there to help us. I would like to thank all the fans who supported us either at home or travelled with us to away matches. It was a really great feeling. They were with us through thick and thin. I can only say positive things about my career in the National Team and I would like to thank everything to everybody. It was an honor wearing the Hungarian jersey.

 

 

Photos: Dávid Vörös