INTERVIEW WITH THE SWISS NATIONAL TEAM

[RANDLEISTENTITEL] MOST IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

UNICON XVI, Brixen, Italy World Champion

UNICON XVII, Montreal, Canada Vice-World Champion

UNICON XVIII, Donostia, Spain World Champion

UNICON XIX, Ansan, World Champion

WHILE THERE ARE BENEFITS TO BOTH TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL , THEY DIFFER VASTLY. IN TEAM , SUCCESS OR FAILURE IN COMPETITION DEPENDS ON MANY VARIABLES. TEAM SPORTS ARE A COLLECTION OF INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE AND ONE PERSON'S ACTIONS CAN BE CONSIDERED PART OF A GROUP EFFORT. 4 OF THE GREATEST UNICYCLE HOCKEY PLAYERS OF ALL TIMES EXPLAIN US WHICH CHOICES AND CHARACTERISTICS HAVE MADE THE SWISS UNICYCLE HOCKEY TEAM ONE OF THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD AND WHICH ROLE PLAY SPORTMANSHIP, TEAMWORK, POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND RESPECT IN A LIKE HOCKEY.

„I AM ALREADY 26 YEARS OLD AND ABOUT 14 YEARS AGO I STARTED RIDING UNICYCLE. 4 YEARS LATER I STARTED PLAYING HOCKEY, BEFORE THAT I MAINLY PRACTICED TRIAL AND FLATLAND. I WAS A CHILD WHEN I SAW FOR THE FIRST TIME RIDING A UNICYCLE, I WAS REALLY IMPRESSED ABOUT IT AND THIS WAS THE START OF MY UNICYCLE ADVENTURE. AFTER LONG DISCUSSIONS FABIO CONVINCED ME TO START PLAYING UNICYCLE HOCKEY. AT FIRST I WAS NOT CONVINCED AT ALL, BUT LUCKILY I GAVE IN AT A CERTAIN POINT. I WORK AT THE ATB IN BIBERIST AND PLAY IN THE SWISS LEAGUE FOR THE GREENWARRIORS TEAM. I HAVE BEEN IN THE SWISS NATIONAL TEAM SINCE THE BEGINNING AND I'M CURRENTLY PLAYING IN THE SWISS TEAM 2. MY GOAL IS CLEAR, IN THE NEXT CHAMPIONSHIP I WANT TO BE ABLE TO PLAY IN THE SWISS TEAM 1. I'M AN ELECTRONIC TECHNICIAN.“

CHRISTIAN JÄGGI

„SINCE I'M 16 YEARS OLD - SO NOW ALMOST 14 YEARS - THAT I'M AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE DREITANNEN OLTEN UNICYCLE CLUB. ALREADY BEFORE I KNEW A BIT HOW TO RIDE UNICYCLE. IN THE CLUB I STARTED IMMEDIATELY PLAYING UNICYCLE HOCKEY AND AT THE SAME TIME I RODE ON THE TRACK, TOO. I HAVE NEVER HAD GREAT AMBITIONS IN RACING, BUT SINCE THE BEGINNING IT WAS PERFECTLY CLEAR TO ME THAT RACING ON TRACK WOULD HAVE RELEVANTLY HELPED ME ALSO IN HOCKEY. SINCE 2012 (UNICON XVI-BRIXEN), I HAVE BEEN MEMBER OF THE SWISSTEAM 1, SO I'VE GOT A BIT OF EXPERIENCE IN ALL THIS. IN 2012 I WAS STILL A STUDENT, NOW I WORK AS A SPECIALIST IN GEOINFORMATICS IN BERN. IN ADDITION TO UNICYCLING, WHICH REQUIRES A LOT OF TIME NOT ONLY AS AN ATHLETE, BUT ALSO FOR THE HONORARY FUNCTIONS THAT I'VE TAKEN ON, I LIKE TO DO OTHER SPORTS, LIKE TENNIS, MOUNTAIN BIKING OR TABLE TENNIS.

CHRISTIAN PEIER

„I LIVE IN THE CANTON LUCERNE, IN A BEAUTIFUL AREA OF THE CENTRE OF , SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS AND LAKES. MY FIRST APPROACHES TO UNICYCLING DATE BACK TO 2002, WHEN MY BROTHER YVES TOOK PART IN HIS FIRST UNICON IN SEATTLE. IF YOU ATTEND A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP LIKE UNICON IT IS REALLY HARD TO AVOID RIDING A UNICYCLE. I WAS DEEPLY IMPRESSED BY THE VARIOUS DISCIPLINES AND I DECIDED TO START RIDING. TODAY I AM 28 YEARS OLD, SO I HAVE BEEN RIDING UNICYCLE FOR ABOUT 17 YEARS. FIRST, I STARTED RACING ON THE TRACK, AS THERE WAS STILL NO ACTIVE TEAM IN UNICYCLE HOCKEY IN OUR REGION. IN 2006 DURING UNICON - LANGENTHAL I STARTED WITH UNICYCLE HOCKEY. MY BROTHER YVES AND I FOUNDED THE UNICYCLE CLUB EMMENBRÜCKE WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR PARENTS. AT THE SAME TIME, WE FOUNDED THE UNICYCLE HOCKEY TEAM BLACK HAWKS. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEING PLAYING UNICYCLE HOCKEY IN THIS TEAM (13 YEARS HAVE ALREADY PASSED!). IN 2010, THE SWISS UNICYCLE HOCKEY NATIONAL TEAM WAS FORMED. SINCE THEN I’M TRAINING AND PLAYING FOR THE SWISS NATIONAL HOCKEY TEAM, IN TEAM 1, - SO NOW ALMOST 9 YEARS -. YES, I'M PART OF THE SWISS TEAM 1 SINCE ITS BIRTH, AND THIS IS DUE TO MY PASSION FOR THIS SPORT, MY SPEED, AND ABILITY PASCAL METRY IN DRIBBLING AND GAME OVERVIEW. HOWEVER TRAINING AND TOURNAMENTS SHOULD NOT OVERSHADOW EVERYDAY LIFE... I WORK FULL TIME AND BESIDES WORKING AND UNICYCLE RIDING I ENJOY SPENDING MY FREE TIME WITH FRIENDS, TRAVELING, SURFING AND PLAYING .“

„I STARTED UNICYCLING WHEN I WAS 12 YEARS OLD. AT THE BEGINNING I PRACTICED BOTH RACING ON TRACK AND HOCKEY. AFTER 1 YEAR I FOCUSED COMPLETELY ON HOCKEY. I LEARNED OF THE EXISTENCE OF UNICYCLING THROUGH A COLLEGUE OF MINE AND I SAID TO MYSELF, I “WANT TO DO” IT, TOO. I STARTED IN RECHERSWIL, THEN I’VE JOINED THE BLACK HAWKS IN EMMENBRÜCKE. IT IS NOW TWO SEASONS THAT I’VE BEEN PLAYING FOR THE BIBERIST ATB IN THE GREEN WARRIORS. I HAVE BEEN PART OF THE SWISS TEAM 1 SINCE ITS FOUNDATION. I AM MANAGING DIRECTOR OF A SPECIALIZED IN HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES STORE.“

FABIO GIANFORMAGGIO

INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTIAN JÄGGI

A GREAT ATHLETE, ONE OF THE TOP PLAYERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY AND IN 2018 A MEMBER OF THE WORLD CHAMPION TEAM IN ANSAN, KOREA, BUT TODAY ALSO A VALID COACH ... WHAT IS THIS CHOICE DUE TO?

For some years now I've been working as a coach for our junior teams. In the beginning it was more out of necessity because we did not have enough coaches. But as time goes by, it comes naturally to you to take these children to heart and when you see their progress it's really a joy, almost as much as seeing these improvements on yourself.

SWISS TEAM 2, SWISS TEAM 3, THE BREEDING GROUND FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONS OF TOMORROW?

For sure. We have many young and really good players, who will for sure, sooner or later, replace us.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHICH ARE YOUR BEST SKILLS AND WHAT ASPECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON TO IMPROVE?

My versatility is certainly one of my greatest strengths. No matter if I play as a striker or a defender, I feel comfortable in both roles and can easily compete. This allows me to be placed everywhere. Hard to say on which aspect I'm right now working on. We can speak about passing game, trippling or riding technique, everything can and should be always improved. But, as team, we are currently focusing on teamwork.

LET'S TALK ABOUT TALENT AND LEARNING ABILITY. WHICH WOULD YOU PUT IN THE FIRST PLACE?

Talent can be helpful to make progress quickly. But I am convinced that if you are determined and work constantly on yourself you can achieve the same results "without talent". Passion is very important, too, in order not to give up, especially when others, thanks to their own talents, make progress faster than you do. Especially in this case it is very important to go on fighting with ambition and passion trying to improve yourself. THE EPISODE/ANECDOTE YOU LOVE MOST FROM UNICON XIV, WHERE YOUR TEAM WAS CROWNED WORLD CHAMPION.

The whole Unicon was a great experience. But the final match is surely something that we will never forget. Due to stupid mistakes, after a short time we were 0: 2 behind. The way we succeeded in turning the result to 12:6 was a fantastic experience.

WAYNE GRETZKY SAID: «YOU MISS 100% OF THE SHOTS, YOU DON'T TAKE»*. IS IT PURELY ONE OF THE MANY BANAL "WISDOM" OF HOCKEY OR DO YOU THINK, IT HAS A REAL FOUNDATION?

[In other words, you can't succeed unless you try. And that means you have to take action -- Ed.]

There is certainly something true in this. In order to achieve something, you also have to risk something and take the initiative. Otherwise, nothing can change. However, you should not only take a risk blindly, you should also evaluate if the goal is "really possible". I give you an example linked to hockey: I have to score a goal and take a risk in order to pick up points. But, if 5 opponents are in front of the goal tor, is it even possible? It makes no sense to take a risk for something impossible. Therefore, thinking carefully and then deciding is just as important. IN YOUR OPINION, WHICH ARE THE QUALITIES ATHLETES LIKE YOU HAVE, THAT COULD BE USEFUL ALSO IN PRIVATE AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE? Especially in our sport, it is important to play as a team. Even the best single player cannot compete against a whole team. So I may well imagine that our ability to work as a team and help one each other can be also felt in our private and professional life. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO END THIS INTERVIEW? WHAT DID WE MISS TO SAY?

Our sport requires a variety of skills. Control of your unicycle, technique in stick handling and tactic, everything is needed. But it is just this combination of various skills, that makes this sport so exciting for both players and audience. I hope that also the new teams will take up this challenge in the future, making the Unicycle Hockey even more versatile.

INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTIAN PEIER

A COUNTRY WITH ALMOST 8.5 MILLION INHABITANTS, WITH A HISTORIC PASSION FOR ICE HOCKEY BUT NOT ONLY. EVEN IN UNICYCLE-HOCKEY, THE SWISS NATIONAL HOCKEY TEAM (SWISS TEAM 1) HAS CLIMBED 3 TIMES ON THE HIGHEST STEP OF THE WORLD (2012 IN ITALY, 2016 IN SPAIN, AND 2018 IN KOREA) AND THIS YEAR IN JULY IT IS AGAIN GOLD MEDALIST AT THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP IUC 2019 OF BIBERIST. WHICH HAVE BEEN THE WINNING CHOICES THAT HAVE LED TO THIS FANTASTIC POSITIONING OVER THE YEARS?

In my opinion, three are the key factors that led to this result. First we currently enjoy a very favorable situation, I'm referring to the goodly number of strong, talented and success-oriented athletes and coaches, male and female, that are active in many unicycle clubs in Switzerland, where high quality training programs are constantly conducted. This, in my opinion, is the premise to success.

And then, of course, the decision taken at the end of 2009 to conduct rigorous and regular national team trainings, this approach has involved since 2013 also the Junior teams.

I am also convinced that the well-considered decisions taken by the members of the technical staff have been of great importance, too, as well as the long-term program established for our junior Athletes.

DID YOU ARRIVE BY CHANCE ON UNICYCLE-HOCKEY OR WAS IT A "NATURAL LANDING PLACE" FROM ICE HOCKEY?

I learned about this sport from my girlfriend. I loved playing and was able to ride unicycle to some extent. So why not combine the two? Ice Hockey? No, until now I have never practiced it...

IN YOUR OPINION, HOW HAS UNICYCLE-HOCKEY CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?

I think the skill level has generally increased in Switzerland. The athletes, both male and female, are better trained especially in terms of tactics. Something has also changed in the materials, e.g. sticks lighter than before, enhanced .

5 KEYS TO BEING A GREAT HOCKEY TEAM.

• Ideal mix of different types of players with different skills and abilities: fighting spirit, creativity, coolness

• Regular high level training

• Clear tactical ideas within the team

• Positive mood within the team

• personal qualities and motivation of each team member.

"MANY SACRIFICES, BUT THEN EVERYTHING COMES BACK". BUT WHAT DO YOU GUYS SAY TO EACH OTHER WHEN YOU DON'T WIN?

This simply means that we did something bad or wrong and we have to change it asap, if possible. Each game starts from scratch, no matter if you won or lost the match before. But every effort should be made to avoid losing a second time for the same reasons...

YOUR FAVORITE PROVERB?

Sorry, but I haven’t any...

IN YOUR OPINION WHICH ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS THAT MAKE AN ATHLETE A CHAMPION IN TEAM SPORTS? CAN THESE CHARACTERISTICS BE ACQUIRED / TAUGHT OR DO THEY BELONG TO AN INDIVIDUAL'S DNA?

In my opinion, a team champion is the athlete who brings the team forward thanks to his personal skills without necessarily putting himself in the foreground. There can be different types of skills and abilities: we may speak e.g. of game vision, I mean to be able to anticipate what is going to happen next, or of commitment & dedication to the team. But even the most stubborn players can be extremely valuable in team sports. The only thing that matters is that the athlete knows how to use his strengths and how they may help the team. Most of the skills can be learned. But for sure it is easier to learn a good stick technique, than to learn how to have game vision. Here we can certainly speak about qualities already present in the DNA of an individual.

YOU LOOK ALWAYS VERY SERIOUS AND PROFESSIONAL, BUT HAS CHRISTIAN EVER DONE SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD BE LAUGHING ABOUT TODAY?

Is this really true? Yes, perhaps the aspect deceives a little. Sometimes I look serious even when I’m joking... 

At the moment nothing comes to mind, but surely there is something on which we could laugh about…

STRATEGY AND TACTICS, THEY SEEM TO BE SIMILAR CONCEPTS, BUT IN SPORT, AND ABOVE ALL IN HOCKEY, WHAT MATTERS MOST TO WIN?

It depends a bit on how you intend exactly these two concepts. We give great value to the basic strategy, the tactics are then adjusted depending on the game. To win, however, both concepts must be present.

INTERVIEW WITH PASCAL METRY

3 TIMES WORLD CHAMPION AS MEMBER OF THE SWISS TEAM 1. TACTICS, PHYSICAL TRAINING, TEAMWORK, WHICH OF THESE FEATURES WAS IN YOUR OPINION FUNDAMENTAL IN THIS VICTORY?

To experience such a success story with a team, a lot is also due to the team itself. Working out as a team has certainly helped to improve our tactics. On the field we understand each other perfectly, almost without looking at each other, and everyone is here ready to help and support the other. We all have our own role in the team, and each one trains specifically for his/her role, so that the play of each one of us perfectly fits to the team and make us hard to beat.

AND THEN YOU HAVE CLIMBED AGAIN THE TOP OF THE EUROPEAN PODIUM 2019. HOW CAN AN ATHLETE MAINTAIN THIS LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE OVER TIME, NOT JUST AS AN INDIVIDUAL, BUT ALSO AS A TEAM?

We always have to be self-critical in order to improve in every training session or to get rid of our weaknesses. We are used to share our experiences, discuss game situations, give each other advice and push each other to perform at our best. In the Swiss league we play against each other and give the maximum against the top players of the national team. Sometimes we play hard against each other, but, when the game is over we understand each other again perfectly.

THE AUDIENCE CHEERING DURING THE FINALS IN BIBERIST WAS SIMPLY SENSATIONAL. IT WAS A GREAT SHOW OF AFFECTION TOWARDS THE SWISS TEAM. DOES ALL THIS SOMEHOW EFFECT THE TEAM AND ITS GAME?

The audience was simply great!!! It gives us a lot of strength, joy, and this acknowledgement of esteem and appreciation encourages us to give more and more the best of ourselves.

WHO TRAINS THE SWISS TEAM 1?

Our coaches are Mirco Weingard and Fabio Gianformaggio. They play in the Swiss Team 1, too.

DOES NUTRITION PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE?

For sure nutrition plays a role, too. In our sport you need a lot of energy. Therefore let's focus on healthy foods containing helpful nutrients that make the body feel full of energy. Ideally, you should pay close attention to what you eat a couple of days before the game.

DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS BEFORE THE GAMES? ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS?

Superstitious, no, by no means. I need a rest before the game, then I like to do a sprint to raise the heartbeat and a short series of stick handling to reactivate the right "feel" with unicycle, stick and ball. Just before the kickoff, I like to clap all players with the stick, then we all know, that now's the time.

YOU HAVE A GREAT TALENT, NO DOUBT, AND IN THE GAME, YOU ALWAYS PUT IN PLACE AN EXPLOSIVE STRENGTH, A GREAT MASTERY IN THE USAGE OF BOTH STICK AND UNICYCLE, AN IMPRESSIVE SPRINT AND SPEED. WHAT IS THE BASIS OF A PERFORMANCE OF THIS LEVEL?

Unicycle control must be high, of course. I do racing on track, too, and this is a good training next to playing hockey. Furthermore, when you are young and you have skills and talent for ice and ground hockey you already know how to handle the stick properly. In the end, however, you must never miss your joy and passion for the sport you practice!

WE ARE AT THE LAST QUESTION: AT THE "HEART" LEVEL WHAT MATTERS MOST, THE NATIONAL TEAM OR YOUR OWN CLUB?

The Club gives me the opportunity to maintain and improve my performance constantly. From these workouts I draw all the energy I put in this sport. However the National Team has a higher value and is, from my point of view, the dream of every sportsman. Here you have the great opportunity to compete with the best in the world and at the same time you can make really fantastic friendships.

INTERVIEW WITH FABIO GIANFORMAGGIO

WHEN DID YOU START UNICYCLING AND HOW DID YOU GET TO THE UNICYCLE HOCKEY? I was 12 years old, when I started playing unicycle hockey. I just wanted to do something different from or floorball.

JOB, WORK-OUT, TEAM-COACHING AND FAMILY, HOW CAN YOU MANAGE EVERYTHING WELL IN THE LONG TERM?

Yes, everything works very well. Unicycle hockey helps me to relax and balance body and mind.

WHAT DID IT MEAN FOR YOU TO ORGANIZE IUC 2019, PARTICIPATE IN IUC 2019, AND WIN IUC 2019?

It has been simply great. But it was possible only thanks to the great organization team and, obviously, to an extraordinary national team.

HOW ARE PLAYERS SELECTED FOR THE SWISS TEAM 1? I GUESS IT'S A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY BUT ALSO A GREAT OPPORTUNITY AND STIMULUS FOR ALL JUNIORES....

Players are carefully selected by Mirco Weingard and myself. We apply various selection criteria to define whether a player has the characteristics to join the team or not. "THE BEST COACHES SHOULD NOT WORK FOR THE PROFESSIONALS, BUT FOR THE YOUNGEST ONES", A QUOTE BY THOMAS ROOST. DO YOU AGREE?

No, there are two different types of coaching. The youngest need a coach who is able to build a solid foundation for their training. Profis need a coach who can get everything out of them.

WE SAW YOU IN BIBERIST, YOUR GAME WAS CLEAN, ABSOLUTELY NOT A "STRENGTH GAME". WE SAW GREAT TACTICS AND EXPERIENCE. HOW CAN THIS PRECIOUS KNOW-HOW BE PASSED ON TO YOUNG TALENTS? ... AND, STILL AS A COACH, ON WHAT THERE IS NO COMPROMISE FOR YOU?

Passing on the know-how is very difficult and it requires thousands of repetitions. Basically, I always focus on tactics and discuss every game carefully with my Juniores and carry out with them a game analysis.

GERMANY, A STRONG OPPONENT THAT SHOULD NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED. HOW DIFFERS THE SWISS GAME FROM THE GERMAN ONE?

Basically the Swiss team's game is characterized by rapid and precise passages and shots in goal. The German game is not so "clean", we have many deep balls reaching the slot (dangerous area directly ahead of the net).

IF YOU COULD DECIDE, WHAT WOULD YOU IMPROVE IN HOCKEY?

I would be glad, if the future hockey managers would run our sport on an European and World level in a more professional way, guaranteeing a better organization.

NOW WE SPEAK AGAIN WITH THE COACH FABIO: WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF HAVING A NATIONAL TEAM? AND WHAT DOES THIS CHOICE REQUIRE?

The national team brings together the best players in the country and makes them stronger. Everyone benefits from his own colleagues. We have proved that we have "created" the two strongest hockey teams in the world with the National Team. I would be very happy if also would form a National Team. It's true, we sacrifice a lot of our free time for this sport, but in the end we spend our free time with like- minded people and we have always a lot of fun when we train together.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS VERY INTERESTING INTERVIEW! IT WAS A GREAT PLEASURE TO MEET YOU. UNTIL NOW WE KNEW YOU ONLY FROM THE STANDS OF THE HOCKEY FIELD, BUT TODAY WE CAN SAY, WE KNOW YOU A BIT MORE  THANK YOU ALSO FOR THE 4 FANTASTIC DAYS IN BIBERIST, IT WAS A GREAT " FULL IMMERSION" IN HOCKEY AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. WE KNOW THAT FOR YOU THE HOCKEY SEASON DOES NEVER STOP, SO WE WISH YOU SUCCESS IN ALL YOUR ENDEAVOURS AND LEAVE YOU WITH A SIMPLE "GOODBYE, SEE YOU IN GRENOBLE!".