Walter: “Energy is preferable to elation”

As part of the sixth matchday of the second division, SV Elversberg and HSV will face off against one another for the first time on Sunday evening. In his press conference ahead of his team’s first meeting with the promoted side, who have risen from the fourth division to the 2. Bundesliga in just two years, HSV head coach Tim Walter spoke about...

…the training week: Lots of players were away with their national teams and played for their countries, which is a huge honour for each of them. However, it’s good to now have everyone back with us again. I can see lots of joy, the willingness to work, good intensity and a strong mentality in training. I can also tell that we are continuing to develop: We have raised our quality in one-on-one situations, we are generally calmer in defence, and we are able to combine our great power with the necessary calmness in attack. All in all, we look more solid and seem to be more unpredictable at the same time.

“Their fresh nature is good for the whole league” 

…Elversberg: My opposite number Horst Steffen has been working in Elversberg for many years now and has been very successful, so the club’s promotion is certainly well deserved. Their fresh nature is good for the whole league, especially given that they play really good football. That’s also apparent from the fact that only five teams in the whole league have had more possession than Elversberg so far. Therefore, we aren’t going to do them the favour of underestimating them. 

...the experience within the stadium: The club has sparked a great deal of elation in the region. The stadium is going to be sold out and everyone is extremely fired up for this game. However, we are also up for the clash and desperate to secure a win. We know what’s waiting for us. We have had the ideal preparation and will devote all our energy to this game. For me, energy is preferable to elation, above all, if we want to turn this energy into a yearning for victory.