He was a player at the Winter Olympics three times, and in Pyeongchang 2018, as national coach, he led the German national ice hockey team to the silver medal. In the interview, Marco Sturm talks about his Olympic memories, the emotional moments at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang - and about scratches on his silver medal.
Marco, when you think back to the 2018 Olympics, what moment comes to mind first?
Marco Sturm: I think of joy and fun and have goosebumps. We couldn't have imagined what happened in these two weeks - somehow out of nowhere. That in the end we actually make it to the final and go home with silver. This was only possible because of the incredibly close camaraderie within the team, which became increasingly intense as the tournament progressed. We coaches noticed that too. In Pyeongchang we were really a team that stuck together very closely. And of course we were a bit lucky, but that's part of it.
What do you think was the key to you making it to the Olympic final?
Marco Sturm: There are several reasons. We were a team. Everyone fought for everyone, regardless of whether they played five minutes or 20 minutes. No player was too ashamed to block a target. Everyone gave everything. We were a closed unit. We also had very good leaders, experienced players who took command on the ice and exuded the necessary calm in difficult situations. And we had good goalkeepers. No matter who was in goal, we had very, very good goalkeeping throughout the tournament. If the goalkeeping performance is that good, then you really have a chance to win every game.
In the first days of the Olympics you gave the players a lot of free time...
Marco Sturm: Yes, and I think it was also crucial to our success that the boys fully experienced Olympic life. For many players it was their first Olympic Games. I wanted everyone to get the Olympic feeling. That's why I didn't schedule a preparatory game in the first few days. I wanted the players to have the chance to go out and play other sports and events. You should take everything you can with you in the first three or four days. That's why we sometimes traveled together as a team, for example in biathlon. But it was also important to me that the whole team concentrate fully on ice hockey afterwards. When it started, I said - OK, now I'll focus on ice hockey and we'll tackle the challenges together.
You were at the Olympics three times as a player and once as a coach. How did you experience the Olympic Games in the different roles?
Marco Sturm: Honestly, it wasn't all that different. As a coach, the Olympics are perhaps a little more intense because you have more responsibility and are under more pressure. That was the only difference. But everything surrounding it with training, games, other events and village life was actually similar as a player and as a coach.
What was your most emotional Olympic moment?
Marco Sturm: That was clearly the 2018 Olympics when we won the silver medal. I have never experienced anything like this in my entire sporting career before or since, neither emotionally nor in terms of success. That was something special that can hardly be topped. The team was something really special. I noticed that as a coach and I think they did too Fans noticed in front of the television. But I also like to think back to my first Olympic Games in Nagano (1998). They weren't that successful in terms of sport, but they were a lot of fun, with lots of nice memories and a great experience that you won't forget.
Where is your silver medal?
Marco Sturm: It's in my safe at home. Sometimes she comes out, but not that often.
Have you ever bitten into the medal?
Marco Sturm: I don't know if it was from the bite or from the party afterwards, but you can see a few scratches on the medal that were probably caused at one party or another.
And what does the medal actually taste like?
Marco Sturm (laughs): Actually, nothing. But taste doesn't matter in such a situation. The main thing is that you hold the medal in your hand and reward yourself for the performance you delivered. The feeling you get is indescribable.
Let's look ahead to the upcoming Olympics. Just under a week and then it'll start. What confidence do you have in the team - after all, eleven Olympic participants from 2018 are back.
Marco Sturm: I have a lot of confidence in the team. There are many experienced players there. They know how great the Olympics can be. But they also know what they have to do to achieve it. These players still have leadership qualities in the team. Toni Söderholm will certainly put together the perfect team that sticks together, that plays good ice hockey, that fights until the end and that can be very successful in the end.
Do you have any advice for the young players who are taking part for the first time?
Marco Sturm: You should enjoy every day, this may be a unique opportunity. When ice hockey starts, they should give everything for the team and themselves and get the best out of it. Anything is possible at the Olympics – especially without the NHL players.
Thanks for the conversation, Marco!