Where this Dane is, there is a good mood! Hertha goalkeeper Oliver Christensen (23) is beaming with the sun at the training camp in Florida. The only blue-and-white World Cup driver is back and now just bangs out in an interview on the club’s website: “It’s just great to be back at Hertha!”
Hertha’s new number 1 has taken the hearts of the fans by storm. Not only because of his saves, it’s his relaxed Scandinavian style that infects everyone in the team. One scene says it all: holding the ball up in a circle with the field players before the real training program, the blond giant drops it off his foot. It’s a ritual at Hertha, and there are small slaps in the neck from the teammates. Christensen accepts it with a laugh and his spirits rise.
Christensen: “Great, hanging out with each other every day”
“The feeling is good! Everyone is fit, pulling along and looking forward to being together once more as a group – that’s the requirement. I haven’t seen the guys and the whole team around for almost two months. That’s why it’s great to hang out with each other every day once more,” says the mega-sympathetic.
The boy doesn’t use empty phrases, he really means it. He’s had a dream year. Became a regular keeper in the club and then also with Denmark for the World Cup in Qatar. “I will only really realize over time that I was at a World Cup. That was my biggest wish when I was little Olli,” he laughs and adds: “It was a really cool experience that gives me additional motivation. A year ago I would never have believed that I would be able to represent my home country.”
After the World Cup, he was on vacation in Denmark and only rejoined the team when he flew to Florida. “It was nice to recharge the batteries. After two weeks, however, I was really looking forward to Hertha, the team and Berlin. Missing your colleagues is a good sign, isn’t it?” he says with his mischievous grin.
Christensen: “The fun must not be neglected”
But Christensen can also be thoughtful and serious and remembers December 31: “On New Year’s Eve 2021 I was grateful for many things that I had achieved, I really learned a lot last year. I always have to keep at it, even if some things don’t work. The fun must not be neglected either.” He also had that during the new special training with stroboscope glasses, which is supposed to increase the speed of reaction due to the flickering light.
Certainly not with the good mood person. He not only stands in goal, but also for the completely new, rediscovered team spirit in the group. In Florida, the next mood level is just being ignited. Closing remarks by Christensen: “Now our path should lead further up the table. To do this, we must and will remain positive. I have great faith in this team. The support from the fans is fantastic. We have to continue to stick together as a whole club, even if there are bad moments. I’ve felt that very strongly lately. The fans also notice that, they see that we want to and always give 100 percent.”
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