Kadetten already under pressure, Dissinger admits

After an eleven month injury break caused by a torn crucial ligament in the VELUX EHF Champions League match against Barcelona in October 2011 – Christian Dissinger returned in the squad of Kadetten Schaffhausen right at their opener of this season – again against Barcelona.

Before playing the ehfTV.com Match of the Week at Pick Szeged the German junior world champion talks about the upcoming task, his injury and his hopes to proceed to the next stage of the VELUX EHF Champions League. Christian will also offer his insight blogs for ehfCL.com throughout this season.

ehfCL.com: What were your emotions when you returned on the court against Barcelona – despite the defeat?
Christian Dissinger: I was satisfied, as I had no troubles during the match and found my way. But on the other hand I was disappointed that we did not have any chance against Barcelona. We did not keep on the tactical way we had planned – and then you have no chance against Barcelona. I recognized that I still have a long way to go to play on highest level for 60 minutes.

ehfCL.com: Was it something special to have your comeback just against the Catalans?
Christian Dissinger: No. Even as this severe knee injury occurred in the 2011 match against Barcelona, for me it was nothing special.

ehfCL.com: How long did those eleven months seem to you – and what was your special rehab?
Christian Dissinger: It was obvious to me that my injury break will take longer than for lighter and smaller players. And it was also obvious that I need to use this break not only for rehab but for building up my muscles. Three months after the surgery and the usual exercises I could start coming closer to handball. After five months I went to the U.S. to Athlete’s Performance in Phoenix for the first time to have a special power build-up training, which I repeated in June. I improved all my power data and gained seven kilos of weight, especially muscles.

ehfCL.com: What is the significance for you personally and for Kadetten to be part of the VELUX EHF Champions League every season?
Christian Dissinger: It is important for me and important for the club, because it is a major identification of the club to be on international ground. So we want to qualify for the Champions League every season, which means to become Swiss champions. This task is getting harder every year, as the Swiss league extremely improved.

ehfCL.com: What is the importance of the VELUX EHF Champions league for Kadetten fans and sponsors?
Christian Dissinger: You should ask our marketing experts about the sponsor’s status, but in my opinion it is a key factor for their investment to have international matches. For the fans it is something absolutely extra-ordinary to see Barcelona or Füchse Berlin in our arena. I believe due to those opponents we can even attract spectators from Germany to watch our matches.

ehfCL.com: The next international match for Kadetten is the ehfTV.com Match of the Week at Szeged. How do you rate the chances to take some points from Hungary?
Christian Dissinger: I don’t think about the chances, as we just need to win there. We are under pressure now and have to show a strong performance. I go there to gain some points, nothing else!

ehfCL.com: Is it hard to switch from an opponent like Barcelona to Szeged?
Christian Dissinger: In no way, as we did not have the thought to beat Barcelona, but only to surprise them, even if you don’t want to lose. The circumstances against Szeged are different. Who has problems to switch to Pick, should not play in the VELUX EHF Champions League.

ehfCL.com: Is the VELUX EHF Champions League a stage to commend yourself for the German national team?
Christian Dissinger: It is incredible to take responsibility in the VELUX EHF Champions League, when you are only 20 years old. I don’t think so many handball players have this chance. The national team for me is only a matter, if I get an invitation by our national team coach Martin Heuberger. So I don’t care, if the Champions League is a stage for me to commend myself for the national team. Only if I show strong performances in the league and the Champions League I can draw attention.

ehfCL.com:  In the previous seasons Kadetten made their way to the Last 16 of the VELUX EHF Champions League – how do you rate the chances to repeat this success?
Christian Dissinger: A lot of observers or fans expect us to go that far again, but they forget that we have to compete in a really strong group. If we manage to qualify for the Last 16 again, this would be a sensation for Kadetten. But of course it is our ambition to go that far. But we should not tense up but still have fun to be part of the VELUX EHF Champions League.

Follow the livestreaming of the Match of the Week on ehfTV.com powered by LAOLA1.tv on Saturday, 6 October (17.15 hrs local time)