1st Indoor Hockey World Cup February 5th to 9th, 2003 at the „Arena Leipzig“ NEWS “The Arena is sensational” Interview with Bernhard Peters, German mens Headcoach In five weeks starts the First Indoor Hockey World Cup for women and men in Leipzig. For the German mens team 2002 has been one of the most successful years in history – with the first World Cup win, second place at the Champions Trophy in Cologne and two FIH Player of the Year Awards for Captain Florian Kunz (2001) and Dr. Michael Green (2002). But nobody wants to recover. There is a big run for only twelve tickets for Leipzig. All world champions in field hockey are also keen on playing the indoor world championship. Are you spoilt for the choice? Peters: Yes I am. However, some players I will deliberately withhold: Clemens Arnold, Chris- toph Bechmann, Michael Green, Christian Wein and Timo Wess. For them the training for the field-season has absolute priority. I am not yet sure, whether Sebastian Biederlack and Sascha Reinelt will be lined up. In any case it will be a tough competition for all, because only more or less 17 players have the chance to get the ticket for Leipzig. Were you surprised that all players wanted to take part in the indoor world championship. Peters: No, not at all. The boys are generally keen on wearing the national colours, being together with the team and having the opportunity of winning a title. All candidates for the world championship are also ambitious in view of the field A-cadre. Peters: That’s correct. Only Philip Sunkel and goal-keeper Steffen Erlewein are indoor ex- perts. But also they have to prove themselves. Steffen has already completed a very good first training session. Philip had broken his toe and now has to show that he is fit enough to be re-integrated in the team. Are there any seeded players? Peters: Yes, Philip Crone, Florian Kunz and Björn Emmerling will definitely be team- members, provided they are fit and healthy. This applies also for Christoph Eimer, who was injured and will join the team again in January. Your team is the big favourite at the World Cup. How do you handle the situation? Peters: It is how it is. Hopefully it will not change within the next couple of years. Yet, you have to learn how to cope with the fact that all teams will by all means try to teach you a les- son. One thing, however, we should avoid. Snootiness and carelessness. Media information for the First Indoor World Cup 2003 in Leipzig German Hockey Agency (dha) – Christoph Plass and Olaf Schirle Hotline 0049-40-88301667 – Fax 0049-40-801383 E-Mail [email protected] – Internet www.dha-online.de 1st Indoor Hockey World Cup February 5th to 9th, 2003 at the „Arena Leipzig“ NEWS Who is from your point of view the fiercest competitor? Peters: It is very important to work off the competitions step by step. Therefore I am first of all concerned about the European Championship in Santander, which takes place before the world championship. There we have to closely monitor France, Spain and Poland. And of course the Dutch, who are right now in Mönchengladbach for some testing games. Of course I am using all sources to obtain information about the competitors at the world championship, as for example New Zealand, who are newcomers in indoor hockey. Will the cadre for the European Championship be the same as for the world championship? Peters: No, for the European Championship I will nominate the candidates after the training session in January. The players have to prove themselves in Santander. The majority will then most probably be playing also in Leipzig. But there is no guarantee. You have already visited the arena in Leipzig ... Peters: Yes, the arena is sensational. I hope that a lot of spectators will watch our games. This is im- portant because only if there are enough spectators the right atmosphere will arise. So the people of Leipzig are asked to show up numerous and we will do our best to play offensive and aggressive thus presenting high quality hockey. The preliminary games against Poland showed al- ready, that indoor hockey has many fans in Leipzig. Nearly all seats were taken... Peters: That was a good omen. The games were well accepted, which is not surprising. The boys have shown some beautiful goals. That’s what we generally intend to do in Leipzig: Impressing the spectators by playing first class hockey. Therefore experts like Oliver Domke will obtain the necessary opportunities. For the first time in your career there will be a big World tournament together with the Ger- man ladies team… Peters: Yes, that is excellent. I am looking forward to seeing the team playing. I am espe- cially pleased, that this competition with both teams taking part, will take place in Germany in front of German spectators. Media information for the First Indoor World Cup 2003 in Leipzig German Hockey Agency (dha) – Christoph Plass and Olaf Schirle Hotline 0049-40-88301667 – Fax 0049-40-801383 E-Mail [email protected] – Internet www.dha-online.de .