With the second half of the FIH Hockey Professional League 2024-25 now underway, we’re catching up with gamers and coaches of all 9 males’s and girls’s groups to take the temperature of their season by the primary half and discover their targets for the remaining matches. In right now’s interview, we communicate with André Henning, coach of the German males’s hockey workforce.
The primary half of the FIH Professional League is behind you – what’s your take thus far, and the way joyful are you together with your workforce’s growth?
We’re actually joyful. After the Olympics, we went by a serious transition and gave a variety of new guys an opportunity to show themselves. Naturally, we lacked a little bit of chemistry early on – particularly since we don’t have a centralized coaching system like different international locations. That’s why it’s been nice to see so many younger gamers already stepping up on the highest degree. Some actual expertise is coming by. I don’t suppose we’ve ever been in such a promising spot within the standings at this stage of the season. So sure – growth and outcomes are each on observe.
What tactical insights have you ever taken from the primary half – and the place do you see the most important room for enchancment?
Truthfully, each sport has thrown up one thing new to work on – whereas we’ve additionally managed to resolve different points. Early on, we had some defensive coordination issues, however we sorted these out fairly effectively between Amsterdam and India. Offensively, we’re main the league with 26 targets in simply eight video games – and even there, we nonetheless see methods to get higher.
How would you price the depth and general degree of play thus far – particularly in comparison with different worldwide tournaments?
It’s been a bit up and down. The reality is, most gamers are being requested to play manner too many matches over the course of a 12 months. That positively exhibits within the Professional League. International locations with sturdy home leagues are feeling the pressure. We simply can’t anticipate the fellows to hit peak efficiency each single time – particularly when the schedule is as packed as it’s on the Olympics. We’ve already crossed the road when it comes to what’s sustainable.
Out of your viewpoint, has the Professional League discovered its place within the worldwide calendar? What are its largest strengths and challenges?
That actually depends upon your perspective. Does your federation run a home league? Do you have got common residence occasions with first rate crowds? Are you flying midway world wide twice a 12 months? And the way do you steadiness all of that when your gamers aren’t full-time execs, but in addition finding out or working? I’ve skilled some wonderful Professional League video games – packed stands, nice ambiance, top-level hockey. However then there are the robust moments: lengthy journey, or matches with so little native curiosity that organizers determine to not enable spectators, like in London. From a advertising and marketing viewpoint, I get a variety of the choices. And I actually admire all the trouble going into making our sport extra seen. The Professional League has positively helped with that. However participant welfare has to stay a prime precedence. I do suppose everybody concerned understands that.
How are your groups managing the pressure of journey, match rhythm, and restoration?
It’s robust – no query. Relaxation and restoration are clearly getting shortchanged. The home season wraps up in summer season, and there’s barely every week off earlier than the Professional League kicks off. That’s simply not sufficient. We attempt to offset that with particular person load administration and participant rotation. However after all, that additionally means fewer video games with our core squad and fewer time to construct cohesion. That’s one cause we haven’t been as profitable within the Professional League as we now have at main tournaments. For instance, not a single participant from our Olympic squad took half in each session this previous winter. Alternatively, that provides extra younger gamers an opportunity – although with the brand new qualification strain, even that’s getting tougher.
How necessary is the Professional League for the long-term growth of your squad – when it comes to automatisms, chemistry, and tactical selection?
With the schedule being so full, there are hardly any check matches anymore. Which means the Professional League is now the important thing platform for us to develop as a workforce. And it’s a fantastic format for that – you’re solely taking part in top-level opponents, so that you’re challenged each time. That actually helps us develop as a bunch. Plus, it’s an enormous motivator to play in such an expert setting.
Do you employ the Professional League to check new lineups and rotations?
Sure – as I stated, the Professional League is mainly our solely probability to experiment at a excessive degree. So sure, we rotate and check as a lot as we are able to.
What are your targets for the second half of the season – particularly with the house video games in Berlin developing?
We’re in a fantastic place – most likely our greatest in years. We’ve received an actual shot at successful the Professional League or at the very least securing a World Cup spot on our personal. That’s an enormous alternative. The Professional League is the beginning of the summer season’s sizzling part, and we’re pumped – particularly as a result of the workforce has appeared sharp and performed with a variety of pleasure. We need to deliver that very same vitality to Berlin. It’ll be our first residence Professional League occasion in fairly some time. Final time in Berlin, the gang was wonderful – we’re actually trying ahead to it.
The Professional League may also result in direct World Cup qualification. How do you see that chance?
It’s there – however it’s tight. Within the Professional League, anybody can beat anybody. That’s what makes it so thrilling. For us, loads will rely on how we begin in London. If we head into Berlin with qualification in our personal arms, we need to get the job accomplished at residence – along with our followers.
What message do you have got for the followers? Why ought to they arrive out and watch – particularly the house video games?
Three causes. First: Each sport is extensive open and intense. The highest groups on the planet are extremely shut – simply take a look at the Olympic quarterfinals. Second: You’re watching world-class hockey. The Professional League solely options the perfect. Each match might simply be an Olympic semifinal. Third: You get to see the gamers up shut. We’re trying ahead to packed stands, loud followers, and powerful feelings. It’s been some time since we’ve had a house sport – and we’ll find time for autographs, selfies, and fan moments. We will’t wait!
