Training camp
14.01.19
Opportunity for two young Hamburg players
Aaron Opoku and Patric Pfeiffer have the chance to impress in the training camp in La Manga, and possibly win their right to appear for the first team in the second half of the season. Both HSV youth players have a similar back-story.
Aaron Opoku and Patric Pfeiffer both received a message separately one week before Christmas, telling them to each meet Sporting Director Ralf Becker individually in his office for a meeting. After the end of the first half of the season for the U21s, the duo trained with the first team, while the rest of their teammates in the second team had already finished up for the year. “The first thing I asked was whether I’d done something wrong,” says Opoku jokingly. His worries were quickly dispelled, as both players received very good news - they would be travelling with the first team to the winter training camp in La Manga, offering them the chance to prove themselves to Coach Hannes Wolf, who was also present at the meetings.
“I was overjoyed with the news”
“It was a complete surprise to me,” explains Pfeiffer, who had previously trained with the first team in last year’s winter trip to Jerez de la Frontera in Spain, but since returned to playing with the U19s afterwards. “I thought I didn’t really have a chance, as the competition was so great,” he adds. He could potentially be HSV’s fifth centre-back choice in La Manga, competing with Rick van Drongelen, David Bates, Leo Lacroix and Gideon Jung, who is returning from injury. “I was overjoyed with the news. Now, I want to make the most of the opportunity as best as I can of course,” says the 19-year-old.
Like Patric Pfeiffer, Aaron Opoku was born in Hamburg and has Ghanaian roots, but is more at home on the left flank. He also understands that he faces stiff competition: “We’re well-equipped in all positions and have some top players. Breaking through and holding onto your spot isn’t easy. With this training camp, there’s the chance to prove yourself in every session. We want to make the most of this, of course.”
Opoku has been playing for Die Rothosen since 2011, and has progressed through the HSV youth setup in this time. Last season, he captained the U19s to the runners-up spot in the ‘A-Junioren-Bundesliga Nord/Nordost’ league, and contributed to their success with 15 goals and four assists. Opoku received a payoff in the shape of his first professional contract, which expires in 2021. “He’s developed brilliantly and we all hope that he continues in this way,” said Ralf Becker at the time. “He is a player with very good individual qualities, somebody who can quickly adapt to playing at a high level.”
Fighting for a first team place
After training with the first team in pre-season, Opoku then suffered a setback. While warming up for a friendly with the U21s, he suffered a pneumothorax, an abnormal collection of air in the pleural space between the lung and the chest wall. It was only thanks to quick intervention from a HSV doctor that it wasn’t any worse. The 19-year-old was forced to sit out for two months as a result. “You wouldn’t wish that sort of injury on anyone,” says Opoku. “It was a tough time. Now, everything is back to normal, but in some situations, the thought of it still bothers me. I pay attention to what my body is telling me a lot more now,” he explains.
Patric Pfeiffer, who also signed his first professional contract in November 2017, has a similar tale of woe. Having just visited a friend in hospital, whom he played with in the U15s, to support him during his period of recuperation, Pfeiffer soon needed similar support himself. The Germany junior international (two caps for the U18s and two for the U19s) suffered a setback when he injured his shoulder joint, and like Opoku, was out for two months. “After the injury, I had to give it more effort than I’d ever given before, just to get my regular place back in the U21s – and I’m still working on staying fit,” he admits. The pair have successfully fought for their chance to play for the U21s again, step by step. Pfeiffer has featured in twelve games this season, while Opoku has been involved in nine, claiming a goal and an assist.
The two young HSV players have come one step closer to their dream of playing first team football, by being called up to the training camp squad. “Since we were young, it was always our aim to become professional footballers,” says Opoku, speaking for himself and Pfeiffer. "To now be recognised by the club after all the hard work down the years, and to have the chance to prove yourself among the first team, because the coaches see your potential, is something to be very grateful for."
In La Manga, the two are sharing an apartment and want to make the most of their chance to impress. They can use this opportunity to exchange their experiences between themselves and help further their development.