Interview with Máté Lékai

 

The due contract of Máté Lékai has been extended by Veszprém Handball Team Co. Ltd. back in December. The captain was infected with COVID in the Fall, but since he is in good form and is really useful for the team. In this interview, we touched a few topic, such as the performance of this season, his contract extension and the critique he gets on social media.

 

 

We did not start the season well in the preparation games, and although it did not have much at stakes, we could have closed the summer season much better. After that, we played well in the Final4 of the SEHA League, and we won the series once again. We started well in the Champions League as well. During the Fall season we had ups and downs mostly, but the lowest point was the EHF Final4 in December. It did not happen the way we planned. Of course, if we win the extra time against Kiel, everything would have been better, but just as in life, there are no IFs in sport either. That part of the season did not conclude the way we wanted it, but we can be satisfied with everything else. The next part will determine how this season will be in the end.

 

Yes, unfortunately I have been infected during the Fall. Luckily, I only had minor symptoms, but still had to miss quite a few weeks. It would have been better to go through the season without getting it, but as we can see almost everyone encounters the virus from all teams. I think I achieved my previous form, before the virus, but the World championship was again a huge load. Those who do not participate in the event have some time to build themselves up, whereas those who participate have little short time to rest the body. This bring a little bit of a “spring fatigue”.

 

It was a really short negotiation with the Club, because they wanted me to stay, and I wanted to stay as well. This Club is my everything, I feel really good, and I cannot be in a better place than this. I love the city, and the life in it. My family likes it here as well, my wife is from Veszprém also. It was without question that we stay, especially as the Club wanted it as too. I hope this was not my last extension in Veszprém.

 

 

Ever since I arrived to Veszprém, there has always been three center backs in the team, with the only exception being that year when Palmarsson left and it was only Mátyás Győri and me and then Petar Nenadic and me. Besides that there was always two players on my position, for example the Chema-Ruesga, then the Chema-Palmarsson pair, and now the Nenadic-Mahé duo. We get along well, and it looks like the board is also satisfied with us, as they extended the contract of Nenadic last season, then this season Mahé and I got a new agreement. We are trying to thank that, and to prove that it was the right decision.

 

The World championship was great for us. I think we reached a really good result, we were really close to qualifying for the semifinal. Egypt deserves every compliment for the organization, because this was the first ever 32 team World championship. There were small problems in the beginning, like eating together with another team, but they corrected everything right away. Our biggest problem was that our bus broke down twice, that is it. It can happen anytime anywhere. We stayed in a nice hotel, we ate delicious food, the bed was good and the distances were not so long. At least the venues were not as far as everyone said it, compared to an event organized in Europe for example. Unfortunately, because of the COVID situation none of the games could have full house, no matter how much Egyptians love handball. This is the world we live in. Let’s hope that next January we can all fight for the common goal in the Arena on the Hungarian European championship.

 

There is a little core, who are really loud on social media. They think that I am the source of every problem. There special groups who are thinking this way. I think that it is no coincidence that I am here in Veszprém for the seventh year now. During this time, I have had like five coaches, and interestingly enough, all of them wanted me to be here and was happy that I am in the team. Unfortunately, we can see that nowadays many people live out their frustration and anger on the internet. Luckily, I give to those people’s opinion who know handball, and see what kind of work is going on during the week in Veszprém Arena. I am happy, that I can stay for two more years in Veszprém.

 

I was just talking to Árpád Sterbik about this; the performance still leaves us wanting more, but I will not be sad if we play like this and still win everything. The timing of our form is really important and to play well also, but the most important is to win the game. If we play terrible in every game, and still win every time, nobody will be sad I am sure of it. We are almost at the end of the series, knockout games, or even two game parties in the Champions League. Here, nothing matters really, only the victory.

 

 

Photo: Dávid Vörös