Handball-EM: Kohlbacher-Interview:”My record fish was 2,13 meters long”.

At the age of 22, Jannik Kohlbacher from HSG Wetzlar is the star of the German national team. Prior to the second game at the European Championship in Croatia against Slovenia (18.10 at LIVETICKER) SPOX met the runner-up at the hotel of the DHB team.

Kohlbacher spoke about his passion for fishing, the current sporting situation and the mentality within the team. In addition, the Hesse betrayed who is regularly clearing up the troops at darts and mini table tennis.

SPOX: Mr. Kohlbacher, you are an avid angler. How did you get this hobby?

Jannik Kohlbacher: I came fishing over my grandfather. Every time I went to him on vacation, he used to take me with him. Ever since I was five or six years old. Since I’m old enough, I’ve been on my own since I was old enough, now almost every free minute and then for hours. Sometimes I stay on the water all day long, or I travel by boat on a lake.

SPOX: And what is it that gives you to sit by a water and wait for the next bite?

Kohlbacher: For me, this is pure relaxation. Such a handball game costs a lot of strength, both physically and in terms of the mind. Then fishing is exactly what I need. Sometimes I go with my buddies, often enough but also all by myself, for example to the Lahn in Wetzlar. You don’t hear or see anything from anyone, you can forget all the hustle and bustle and just switch off.

SPOX: Which fish species do you prefer to hunt?

Kohlbacher: Zander and Wels are my favourites.

SPOX: Have you ever made a real fat catch?

Kohlbacher: My personal record fish was 2.13 metres long. That was a catfish I caught in France. On vacation I go fishing abroad with friends, for example to Italy.

SPOX: In Croatia it is more about hunting for the title than fish. The DHB team managed to start with a clear victory against Montenegro. Are you satisfied with the start of the tournament?

Kohlbacher: Yes, we can be very satisfied for the moment, the first two points are bagged. This was a concentrated performance over 60 minutes, we can agree with the attack, but especially with the defence. But the more complicated tasks are only now coming.

SPOX: Was the team surprised by the atmosphere in the Arena Zagreb? After all, the announced witch’s cauldron failed to materialize.

Kohlbacher: I was a little surprised. Actually, I thought a little more from the stands. But after the match between Slovenia and Macedonia, we got a taste of what awaits us now. Against Slovenia it will become much louder and much more passionate.

SPOX: Does the German team have to do certain things differently from Montenegro against Slovenia?

Kohlbacher: There are differences in the types of players compared to Montenegro. The Montenegrins have tried to get a lot through the back room. Slovenia is more the playful, the more filigree team that has very good one-on-one players. Our aim must therefore be to defend even more compactly and aggressively. This will be a completely different game, especially as Slovenia has already scored two points. They must actually win and will do everything they can to help them – and the hall will try to help.

Page 1: Kohlbacher about his record catch and the start of the European Championship

Page 2: Kohlbacher on team mentality, darts and mini table tennis