A poques setmanes de l’inici de EHL Ranking Cup 2022 parlem amb un dels millors jugadors europeus dels últims temps, Jeroen Hertzberger. El jugador del HC Rotterdam i ex -internacional holandès tornarà a jugar l’EHL al Club Egara 14 anys després de fer-ho per primer cop en la 1era edició d’aquesta competició.
Club Egara: “Hello Jeroen, thank you for taking your time for this interview. In 2008 you played the first edition of the EHL and you came to play the first K016 at Club Egara. Fourteen years later you are here again. What do you remember from that first edition?”
Jeroen Hertzberger: “I remember the first edition at EGARA very well! We played a very good KO16 and EGARA also qualified for the final 4. I remember we celebrated with the EGARA fans in the tent. Great memories!”
Club Egara: “Speaking about the EHL Ranking Cup, it is obvious that all the teams would like to be playing at the main EHL. How do you and your team value this tournament? What goals do you guys have for this tournament?”
Jeroen Hertzberger: “The EHL has not been the same for many years now. The old set up has my preference with playing 6 games in total. However, it is a European cup and we are the highest seed so we are eager to do well. Starting off with game 1!”
Club Egara: “Your first opponent is Three Rock Rovers from Ireland. How are you guys goint to approach this first game of the tournament?”
Jeroen Hertzberger: “The Irish are fighters! That is one thing we know. With some players debuting at the EHL we will try to throw off the nerves and play to our ability. It will be a close fight I expect!”
Club Egara: “Let’s talk about you; one of the unique things about your career is that you have played always for the same club H.C.Rotterdam. What does this club mean to you? Have you ever had the desire to play in another European league?”
Jeroen Hertzberger: “For me loyalty is one of the most important things in life. Rotterdam is my club and they have always given me the platform to become the best possible player and human. I am very thankful for that and I will never play for another club in Holland. I think a few years in Spain would be something great! My wife loves Barcelona so maybe we can work something out”.
Club Egara: “At your stage of your career we see that you have a youtube channel with tutorial of hockey skills. How do you want to keep involve with hockey in the future? Do you see yourself as a coach?”
Jeroen Hertzberger: “I think coaching could be a lot of fun! I don’t know if it’s my future but I love the game and would love to help Rotterram and Holland and share my experience and knowledge”.
Club Egara: “To finish we ask you 4 quick questions:”
When you were a kid your favorite player was…… !I was a big fan of Xavi Arnau! He played with amazing skill and he gave me his socks one time in Amsterdam. I also liked Dennis Bergkamp. I wanted to be the bergkamp of hockey”.
Two games that you will never forget… “EHL semi final against Amsterdam in Amsterdam. 2007 I think. We won 4-3 and I scored a hattrick. Great game with a great team. Unfortunately we lost the final. 2010 it was”.
If you score a goal at the EHL Ranking Cup you will dedicate to….”A goal will be for my kids! I love them so much and I am happy my kids can see some of my carreer”.
One Tv Series you recommend… “A cool TV series is the last dance. It is what high performance sports is all about!”
Thank you Jeroen again and we are very excited to see you and your team playing at Club Egara one more time. Good luck for the EHL Ranking Cup 2022.
Follow Jeroen in his Youtube Channel HERE / Si vols seguir al Jeroen al seu canal de Youtube accedeix AQUÍ