Question: “Moritz Müller, the disappointment was understandably great after the bronze medal game. Have you been able to put the whole thing into perspective?”
Answer: “I think we were able to do that before. I think what I learned from the World Cup wasn't so much the ranking, but rather the way we played and how confidently we did it against the big nations. This is the thing that we as Germany have to take with us into the next tournaments and that has to remain anchored in our minds. That we go out with a big heart at the next tournament and say: Hey, we know how hard it is to compete at this level, but we can do it. That’s the message for me.”
Question: “A medal would still have been a deserved crowning achievement.”
Answer: “It’s a shame that the medal didn’t work out. I think the game against Finland was the crucial point for me as to whether it was enough for the medal or not. Against the USA, the head was empty, burned out, there was nothing left. We were really better against Finland and gave ourselves every chance. But of course we can put that in perspective and know that we played a great tournament.”
Question: “What has happened with the national team that this team stands out with such an incredible character? Things like blocking shots like this have caused something impressive in Germany.”
Answer: “It started with Marco Sturm, a coach came who believed in us and couldn't understand why we didn't believe in ourselves. I remember a game at the World Cup in St. Petersburg, we lost 2-5 against Finland and we thought we actually played quite well. And he jumped out of his skin in the dressing room and that's when we realized that it wasn't enough for him to just play well, he wanted to win. And we had to learn that again as the German national team.”
Question: “Toni Söderholm further solidified and pushed this claim. Has the DEB“The team has reached this level as a result and is currently fifth in the world rankings?”
Answer: “The continuation of Marco Sturm is Toni Söderholm, who lives on in the same way and identifies 100 percent with us and our cause. He is a great coach and a great person who makes sure that all characters fit in when building a squad. And we have our basic virtues that have shaped us from an early age: ice hockey, pride, courage, passion - and now talent is added. The learning process has to be: No matter how much talent is added, these basic qualities must always be there.”
Photos: Peter Schatz