German captain Björn Andrae: “Now we should let happen the miracle of Berlin"

Berlin, Germany, June 7, 2012 - A long-desired dream came true for Björn Andrae and his teammates of the German men in 2008: Finally, after 36 years of Olympic abstinence, a German senior national team qualified again for the most crucial sport event in the world. As it pleased Björn Andrae that much, he would like to repeat it only four years later.

Do you remember May, 25th 2008?
Andrae (considers): “I don’t have a special picture in mind; I am very bad in handling data.”

On that day, you have clinched the Olympic ticket with a 3:2 victory against Spain. When did you see pictures from that tournament in Düsseldorf/GER the last time?
Andrae: “That’s not that long ago. It was before the tournament in Bulgaria.”

What did you feel seeing these pictures?
Andrae: “The Olympic Qualification 2008 was the most emotional and intensive event I have ever experienced in my previous career. I always get goose bumps thinking about it respectively seeing pictures of it.”

Four years later, there will be again a match against Cuba. Moreover, India and the Czech Republic will wait. How do you estimate these opponents?
Andrae: “There are similar to the ones in Düsseldorf. The Czechs are not to be underestimated as they have a strong squad. The Cubans are as ever: Dangerous, athletic with many players who you don’t know but who have high potential to be able to make it hard for every opponent. India is the mysterious opponent who you don’t know. It’s a good group, though it is also a one which you can conquer if we are able to recall everything what we can.”

Cuba and the Czech Republic are missing important players!
Andrae: “The Czech Republic is missing setter Tichacek and wing-spiker Platenik who held crucial roles within their team. However, there are also good successors who are able to replace them. I can hardly assess the Cuban situation: Middle blocker Simon was also team captain and important but it will be decisive to get a grip on the wing-spikers.”

Do all four teams have the chance to win?
Andrae: “Basically, I would say that each team has the chance considering such a tournament. Ignoring India, I believe that Cuba, the Czech Republic and our team have victory-chances in equal parts. It is dependent on the day’s form, how you start in the tournament and so on. Furthermore, we will have the home advantage in a full hall hopefully – that gave us strength in Düsseldorf.”

Around half of the team will consist of the players who have “Düsseldorf experience” at the tournament in Berlin. Is that an advantage?
Andrae: “I believe that you shouldn’t highlight the tournament in Düsseldorf in such a way. There are other opponents, other players, another time – it isn’t possible to repeat that. The goal is London not Beijing. Now we should let happen the miracle of Berlin.”

If you compare the German team from 2008 with the one in 2012, how will the comparison look like?
Andrae: “Our team is extremely rejuvenated in comparison to 2008. I am the oldest player now, and then I was one of the youngest. Nevertheless, we have an international-experienced squad as many of them play abroad and all have already played international tournaments with the national team.”

What will be most important at such a Four-Nations-Tournament at one weekend?
Andrae: “Now, I have to draw the comparison to Düsseldorf. Everyone has to work his balls off for the others. May it be the physiotherapist, doctor, number one or twelve. It can happen so much, thus everything has to fit together enabling to achieve the goal. Moreover, there was the audience in Düsseldorf – that gave us the thrill and maybe we weren’t able to win away.”

Photo Conny Kurth: 2008 Simon Tischer (left) and Björn Andrae celebrates the qualification for the Olympic Games.

You play in front of native audience. Is that only positive or does it also increase the pressure?
Andrae: “I assume it as absolutely positive. In Bulgaria, we have played in front of 10 000 spectators all being against us and we have used it to push us forward. And if the spectators are committed to us, it will push us even more. We want to go to London, and the audience can only be helpful.”

What do you expect of/wish from the audience?
Andrae: “I would like to experience a not German-like audience. I would like to experience that they get totally crazy, are proud to sing the German National Anthem and support their team.”

There are not many German volleyball players who have participated twice in two Olympic Games. What would the London-participation mean to you?
Andrae: “Even if you were already there: Olympia is just the biggest. Beijing was an incredibly great experience. I wish that once again: Not only from a sporty point of view, but also as human being. It would be great to be there as player among all other world stars. I am not only speaking on behalf of me but rather on the whole team. You are looking forward to achieve it as a team even more.”

The German volleyball men are the hope of the total German Olympic team: Basketball, football, handball, water polo and the German women did not make it. What do you say concerning this?
Andrae: “It is sad that all the others did not make it. The German ball sport did line up behind. That isn’t a good sign for the sport culture in Germany. A country is characterized by how many athletes are participating and it would be bitter if we are the only ones beside the hockey players. However, that is also a good opportunity to bring volleyball into the public mind.”