Daniel “Fili” Filimonow will soon receive a great honor: The goalkeeper will be allowed to wear the jersey with the German federal eagle during the IIHF Inline Hockey World Championship in Bratislava (June 25.06.17, 01.07.17 – July XNUMX, XNUMX).
The goalie is by no means breaking new ground, as inline sports have been a recurring theme for “Fili” throughout his young career. In the interview, the 21-year-old talks about the happy event, explains the difference between inline and skater hockey and also reveals a little secret.
Daniel, how did the whole thing come about?
“Stefan Ortolf asked me if I was interested in general. Then he got in touch with Ecki Schindler, the inline representative of the DEB, manufactured. This was followed by telephone calls with Mr. Schindler and participation in an inline hockey tournament in Erding last Saturday.”
When did you receive the good news?
“We fixed the whole thing last weekend.”
When and where did you first come into contact with inline sports?
“That was at the IHC Atting with the students. As far as I can remember, I was eleven years old at the time. I was active for the Wolves for two years, then a somewhat longer break followed. Finally, I started working in Atting again in June 2016.”
What is the difference between skater hockey, as you are used to in Atting, and inline hockey, as you will play for the national team?
“Skater hockey is played with a ball and inline hockey with a disc. In inline hockey, the size of the field corresponds to an ice hockey rink, while in skate hockey a specific frame size is specified. That's about half of an ice hockey rink. Inline hockey is played on standardized surfaces, meaning it has to be the same surface everywhere. Skate hockey can be played on asphalt or gym floors. Depending on what the clubs have available. Skater and inline hockey are played four against four. However, the playing times are different: Skater hockey: 3 x 20 minutes, identical to ice hockey. Inline hockey 4 x 12 minutes with short quarter breaks and a long half between quarters two and three.”
But as a goalkeeper you just have to save everything, right? No matter whether disc or ball...
"That's correct. The ball is harder to assess because the trajectory can change significantly. The puck, on the other hand, is more predictable.”
Does inline or skate hockey spoil the style of a hockey goaltender?
“Both sports require adjustment. So change the style a bit. But that doesn’t really have any consequences because when you get back on the ice you adjust quickly.”
Many field players also have divided opinions about inline sports...
“The field players are talking about a change in terms of braking behavior and tight radii in the curves. Not everyone sees this negatively, many cracks use it to keep their fitness high, have fun and are successful at the same time.”
About the World Cup:
You will be with Sinisa “Silo” Martinovic from the Bietigheim Steelers guard the gate. Do you already know each other?
“No, but that will change soon. I'm already looking forward to it."
How are the stakes divided?
“The plan is for us to share the missions. It remains to be seen whether this will actually happen, because sport is often unpredictable.”
Who else do you know from the group?
“I already know Simon Schiessl (Passau) and Ales Jirik, my future teammate in Deggendorf. The Brazda brothers Tobias and Tim were my opponents back in the DNL days. I met Andreas Toth and Vladimir Gomov (both Passau) for the first time last Saturday.”
In Group B you have tough challenges ahead of you in the top division with Finland, Sweden and the Czech Republic...
“These are indeed illustrious names. We will always have to push ourselves to our limits in order to keep up.”
The Top Division and Division 1 are divided into two groups with four teams each. What is the tournament mode?
“Everyone in the group plays against everyone else and all eight teams in each division end up in the quarterfinals. The knockout system then continues until the winners and the relegated team are determined. In the end, a country has to be relegated from the top division and a nationality can be moved up from division 1.”
Your personal goal at the World Cup?
“Stay injury-free for the hockey season, be successful and play as often as possible. And recommend myself for the next World Cup in two years.”
And with the team?
“To prevent relegation. Croatia is likely to be our final opponent here.”
Last season you had your first DEL appearances for them Straubing Tigers and you even became player of the day once. Please tell us your memories of it.
“During my first outing, Dimitri Pätzold broke his blade after the announcement of the starting six. As a result, he could not start. Nobody expected that and I didn’t have much time to think. To be honest, I was very nervous, but the Fans helped me tremendously. With the appendix in the back it worked quite well. Game two in Munich was already over (1:7, editor's note), but the last eight minutes were still a nice experience. Here too they have Fans called my name and made the mission a great experience. Maybe I can go longer this season.”
Cody Brenner and you will be the housing of Deggendorfer SC in 2017/2018 Oberliga Süd guard. You've known each other for years, but does it still amount to fair but tough competition?
"Yes, although we have a very friendly relationship. This summer we are going on holiday together. On the ice we encourage each other to perform at their best. The best player should play in the end."
How do you stay fit over the summer?
"Mainly in our Deggendorf training group with Cody Brenner, Marco Eisenhut and Timo Pielmeier. A pure goalie quartet, so to speak."
Correction: You are generally considered to be from Deggendorf, but you are actually a true Straubinger, right?
“Yes, I was only born in Deggendorf because at that time there was no birth option for premature babies in Straubing. I have always lived in Straubing and feel like a Straubinger. That’s why I had the city’s coat of arms depicted on my mask last season.”
Fundamental question: Why should a child/teenager choose ice hockey over other sports?
"Because ice hockey is the fastest team sport in the world, the atmosphere in the stadiums is unparalleled and the sport is something special that not everyone plays. In addition, the chances of a professional career are good."
Final question: What are your long-term career goals?
"Of course I want to progress in the professional sector. The next goal should be the DEL2. Once I've established myself there, I can set my sights on the DEL. But I don't want to rush into anything, because I'm still young and hopefully have many good years ahead of me."
Fact Sheet:
Date of birth: 25.05.1996
Height/weight: 1,80 meters and 75 kg
Fanghand: Left
Marital status Unmarried
Previous clubs: EHC Straubing; EV Regensburg; Deggendorfer SC; Straubing Tigers and IHC Atting.
The World Cup squad as DEB at a glance:
Tor: Filimonow, Daniel (Straubing/Deggendorf) and Martinovic, Sinisa (Bietigheim).
Defense: Dück, Alexander (Schwenningen); Gomov, Vladimir (Passau); Jeske, Mathias (Germering); Poetzel, Christian (Erding); Tölzer, Steffen (Augsburg) and Jirik, Ales (Deggendorf).
Attack: Schiessl, Simon (Passau); Deubler, Marco (Erding); Toth, Andreas (Passau); Krzizok, Daniel (Erding); Lachner, Sebastian (Erding); Preibisch, Alexander (Bietigheim); Brazda, Tobias and Brazda, Tim (both Ratingen).
Trainer: Georg Holzmann.
Source: Straubing Tigers