Kevin Großkreutz on winning the championship, Marco Reus and the KeinZwanni boycott at HSV
Kevin Großkreutz talks in his interview with RevierSport about the championship win, Marco Reus and the fan's boycott of the first Bundesliga match this year in Hamburg.
Kevin Großkreutz, not a long time ago you travelled as one of the youngest players to the BVB training camp. Meanwhile, you play for the "old" team in training matches "young" vs. "old". Are you aware of your new role in the team?
Yes of course. At the beginning I was really nervous when we went to the training camp. By now, it has rather become routine. For other players it is still something new, those I try to help by giving them some tips.
How do these tips look like?
That they should always pass to me (laughing). No seriously, I answer all questions and if new players are coming I take care that they feel comfortable.
And of course you explain your new colleagues what it means to play for the BVB!
Of course, I always like to explain that. Everybody knows my special mentality regarding the BVB. In Dortmund you always have to play with heart and passion. ThatÕs what the fans want to see; each single player here knows that.
2011 was an amazing year for you, how do you judge it retrospectively?
It was a beautiful year that I could never dream of. Even in 15 years it could happen that people will talk about the last season. It was totally unique how we dominated the league and finally became champion. Something like this will certainly not happen again in the near future.
Which moments you like to think back the most?
The moment during the Nürnberg match, when Norbert Dickel shouted "2:0 for Cologne!!!" This feeling is indescribable. I was electrified, I had goosebumbs, it was something you have to experience yourself. This moment when I knew you are champion with your club, the club, you supported yourself. And I knew exactly how proud the fans and the whole city have been in this moment.
But this was not the only "goosebumb" moment in the last season, or?
Comparable was the warm welcome of the fans after we won the away Derby. We did not win there for a long time and then we did it in such an impressive way! We could have even scored seven or eight goals. The welcome in this night was overwhelming. Some clubs would not have been welcomed in this way even after winning the championship.
After the championship the start in the recent season was stuttering and first criticism appeared...
Wait! Just from the media, the fans remained calm, the same did we. We always showed a reaction after a loss and proved the strength and fantastic character of the team. Furthermore, we played a very good first half of the season with which we can be satisfied. After all, we are on the second place, we are just three points behind Bayern Munich and still participating in the DFB-Cup.
The Champions League was not satisfying at all. By now, do you have an explanation for that?
Well, we made mistakes that are not allowed to happen and therefore, we have to blame ourselves for the elimination. We often played well but did not score and in return we made several small blunders. This way will eliminate you in the end. Of course thatÕs bitter, but we learned a lot. Something like that will certainly not happen again when we will participate the next time.
Marco Reus could go some way towards that. He will return to Dortmund in summer. Is it true that you are best buddies?
Well, we write each other from time to time and call each other sometimes. But we did not do something together strictly private that often. Of course it was a pity that he went to the wrong Borussia after our time together in Ahlen. But to return to Dortmund was definitely not a failure. I have already taught him some BVB songs during our time in Ahlen.
Now comes the second part of the season, starting with the match in Hamburg. The initiative "kein Zwanni" called for all BVB fans to boycott the match due to the high ticket prices. Is this comprehensible for you?
Of course, especially because Hamburger officials did not keep their last year's promise. I totally appreciate this campaign. I donÕt understand the point of surcharges for standing tickets.
Nevertheless, the guest stand will be sold out. Would you have preferred an empty away-stand?
In my opinion, that would have been a strong signal to show everyone that things cannot continue in this way. It is outrageous how the supporters are soaked, primarily for away matches. Of course the stand will be full, but the majority of fans supporting regularly, e.g. our Ultras, wont be there. This will definitely have an impact on the overall atmosphere.
Eike 11.01.2012
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