National defender sees the supporters as an important factor: “They are our 7th man”
Here we go: just two more days before the home World Cup starts in Cologne. The national team will face tough competition from the USA, Sweden and Russia in the first three games. Before the start on Friday against Team USA, Christian Ehrhoff talks about his chances at the World Cup.
Christian, are you tingling yet?
You can say that, yes. The closer the World Cup gets, the more focused we become. You notice that in the cabin. Everyone is excited about the start and the upcoming games.
Your teammate Philip Gogulla summed it up most recently when he said: “Germany are certainly not the favorites.” Do you share his opinion?
Of course we are not the favorites. Other nations have completely different demands than we do. You just have to look at the world rankings. We are tenth. Nevertheless, we want to annoy one or two opponents. Just at home.
The comparison with reaching the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup is used again and again. Is that why the pressure is greater?
I've said it many times and can only repeat it: 2010 was a huge success, but it wasn't a given back then. You can't compare these two tournaments. Especially since after an equally good World Cup in 2011, we were unfortunately no longer able to achieve such great results and have only had to stabilize again in recent years. It would be presumptuous to have the same expectations again now. We think from game to game.
Nevertheless, the German national team plays in front of its own audience. Doesn't that push?
In any case. The Fans are our 7th man. When it's loud in the arena, and it will be, it'll give you goosebumps. It will be important that we... Fans also provide support when things don't go well.
The first three games are against the top nations USA, Sweden and Russia. How are the chances?
If you look at the opponents' squads, it's a different world. Nevertheless, we want to score points. With the Fans This is also possible in the back. But even if we don't score the points here, we'll continue. It is important that we receive loud support.
How do you mean?
Well, those Fans in Germany are exceptionally loud. When the opponent steps on the ice, he has to have respect, he has to have our respect Fans tremble. Of course these are all seasoned professionals, but the pressure when you have almost 20.000 Fans have against you is enormous. You have to come to terms with that first. I know what it's like: you try to block it out, but it's in the back of your mind. And at some point mistakes creep in. We then have to use them. The Fans have to help us. It's louder nowhere.