Hockey made a jubilant return to Delhi after a decade, but the Indian men’s hockey team faced a challenging start against Germany in the opening Test of their two-match series at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium. The match, filled with excitement, saw Germany’s Henrik Mertgens score the opening goal in the 4th minute, followed by skipper Lukas Windfeder finding the net in the 30th minute. Despite the absence of several senior players, the reigning Hockey World Cup champions showcased their dominance against a powerful Indian side. Interestingly, Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper, Jean Danneberg, watched from the stands as his teammates delivered a strong performance.
Jean Danneberg, a prominent figure in the world of hockey, has been a key player for the German national team for nearly two years, contributing to their World Cup victory and a silver medal at the Olympics. Recently, he made headlines by being acquired by Hyderabad Toofans for a whopping 27 lakh rupees in the Hockey India League.
On the sidelines of the match, Danneberg spoke exclusively with InsideSport, sharing his thoughts on various topics related to hockey, including his recent achievements and insights on Indian hockey.
On becoming a part of Hockey India League
When asked about his recognition as the highest foreign goalkeeper in the Hockey India League, Danneberg expressed, “I’m incredibly proud, It’s extremely nice to be recognised this way. I’ve had an impressive journey compared to other goalkeepers, and I’m glad to be part of this league.”
“The Hockey India League is an important tournament where young players can develop their hockey skills. It takes place during the winter and helps us a lot to be set on the pitch. It’s a great tournament with great opponents, making it a unique experience.” he added.
PR Sreejesh had a unique style
Reflecting on the differences among Indian goalkeepers, particularly PR Sreejesh and Krishan Pathak, Danneberg acknowledged their unique styles. “PR Sreejesh and Krishan Pathak are both incredible goalkeepers, but they have different styles. Sreejesh has developed his game in a unique way compared to the traditional European style. Krishan is a good, promising new number one goalkeeper for India,” he noted,
Danneberg also praised his teammate Joshua, who performed brilliantly in the match, stating, “Joshua saved very well today, made no mistakes, and kept the game alive until the last seconds. His performance was crucial, especially since India had many chances. Shout out to him for his amazing saves!”
India’s position in global Hockey
Discussing India’s position in the global hockey landscape, Danneberg expressed optimism about the country’s future. “I see India as one of the best teams in the world right now. They’ve developed greatly over the last few years, creating outstanding individual players and a unique team playing style. I believe India will be at the top of the world in the coming years,” he said.
The secret of Germany’s success in World Hockey
Lastly, when asked about the secret to becoming world champions and how Germany maintains its success, Danneberg explained, “Achieving success is complex and involves many factors working together. Germany hasn’t won a major tournament in over a decade, with the last big victory being the 2013 European Championship and the Olympic gold. However, we are getting hungrier for success. Our hard work is key, and that’s part of our secret sauce.”he concluded.
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