Mikler: Not looking back, just giving 120 per cent

For the fourth straight time, Telekom Veszprém are part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 – and for the third straight time, Roland Mikler is part of the Hungarian side’s squad.

Right after winning the EHF Cup Finals in 2014 with Pick Szeged, the Hungarian national team’s number one goalkeeper joined the record champions.

In this exclusive interview 30-year-old ‘Roli’ Mikler talks about Veszprem’s chances, their fans and lucky and unlucky numbers prior to the pinnacle event, where he and his side were finalists in 2015 and 2016.

ehfCL.com: Will it be third time lucky for Veszprém in the final of the VELUX EHF FINAL4?

Roland Mikler: I cannot really say this before the semi-final. The most important thing for us right now is to play in the semi-final and to win it. From then on, we can think about the number three or luck or what is going to happen in the final. We do not really care about this yet.

ehfCL.com: Will those dramatic feelings after the 2016 final against Kielce come back or are those feelings behind you now?

Roland Mikler: I think those feelings are behind us by now and the team can move on from that. What happened, happened – unfortunately that is how it went for us. From the moment the game was over, it was history and there was nothing to talk about.

ehfCL.com: Last year Györ lost the Women’s Champions League Final on penalties just like Veszprém in Cologne. Is it a good omen that they won the trophy this year?

Roland Mikler: Naturally it is a good omen but I think they were not thinking about winning the final before the FINAL4 actually started. They were probably concentrating on the first game. It is a great omen, congratulations to them, and I wish we could reach the final too but there is a long way to go still.

ehfCL.com: At the press conference after the draw, manager Zsolt Sewinger said that Veszprém may be the least favorites to win the trophy this year, but also that underdogs won the title in previous years. What do you think about this?

Roland Mikler: It is definitely Europe's best four teams and only those that belong there could reach this tournament. You cannot really say who is the favourite or who is the underdog until the FINAL4 starts. We will see how it goes.

ehfCL.com: Are there any players for PSG in particular that you or your goalkeeping colleague Mirko Alilovic prepare for, or do you see the whole team as one?

Roland Mikler: We prepare for them as a team, collectively. Every team in Cologne has a world-class selection of players. That is why I think that they all play as a team and not as individuals. The fact that there are some good shooters who shine in their team is a thing we prepare for, but the same goes to the wingers and line players. We do not take things apart.

ehfCL.com: Do you have any special preparations for Cologne or do you do everything normally?

Roland Mikler: I do everything as I always do, and I only focus on the first game.

ehfCL.com: You lost both group matches against PSG this season. Does it give you any extra motivation for the semi-final?

Roland Mikler: Of course. We lost twice but let's not forget that we are in the FINAL4 too. We know how they play and how strong they are, but we are in the same position as they are.

ehfCL.com: Javier Sabaté will be on the bench for the last time as Veszprém head coach in the VELUX EHF FINAL4. Are the players preparing any special surprises for him?

Roland Mikler: I would not say anything like this before the FINAL4, but naturally the biggest gift for him would be lifting the trophy with the players.

ehfCL.com: The start of the season was a bit shaky, but ever since the World Championship Veszprém have been playing with more stability. Is it valid to say that the engine has just started and you now feel the rhythm?

Roland Mikler: I think it is fair to say. I feel like the team is sensing that we are in the final stage of the season. There is nothing to hold back and nothing to think about. Everybody has to give 120 per cent. If the final whistle is blown and we achieve what we want, then everybody can rest.

ehfCL.com: You are a hero for the Veszprém fans especially when you make a huge save. Does it give you more energy when the crowd chant your name?

Roland Mikler: It is an indescribable and fantastic feeling that cannot be put into words. The Veszprém crowd is world famous and when those people chant my name it gives me extra motivation for the period ahead of us. I know that a lot of them will be with us in Cologne and it is very important for me and for the team as well. Let's hope that together we can achieve something.

ehfCL.com: With the German teams eliminated, do you think that Veszprém will have the biggest support in Cologne?

Roland Mikler: I really hope, and I would really like to play in an atmosphere like home. Our supporters are very important for us and I have no doubts that they will support us there.