Speaker 1: Welcome to this podcast. you

Speaker 2: Water Polo Expert Tour. Get the insights.

Speaker 2: Welcome to the podcast. I'm very happy that we the day year. So welcome and I'm happy. And as usual, would like to you space, short introduction, if you like. I'd First of thank you for being here. I think that's a cool thing about a podcast. for the listeners, I'm Sascha Seifert. I'm waterball national player. I also waterball podcast. It's nothing extraordinary, I'd say. No big surprise now, but... It's good to know. Exactly. I currently in Duisburg, amateur swimming club Duisburg. I'm 24 years old, I'm professional athlete, semi-professional. I study by the and I think I'm a very nice guy. so professional as in Germany.

Speaker 2: Yes, I can confirm But you've on many topics, on the tabloid, which will next few minutes for discussion material. So professionalism, where you play, Duisburg national team, waterball itself, studying, that's all... very exciting topics. above all, you said it's a waterball podcast. hope that from experience, only waterball parents, children, players, coaches, but also we achieve a little bit, they little outside our bubble, so to speak. So, of course, also exciting for non-waterball-like people, let's it that. It work. I've never met but yeah. Yes, yes, good. So yes, it's difficult. But this is in Germany with the professional Wasserball. Now you just said that's play in Duisburg. Maybe a little bit about the current situation. Wasserball Bundesliga has now a few weeks ago. You are on the right track, think. Maybe you us insight. Yes, exactly. We're top three We're currently third. We probably one of the most season games so far against Spandau 04. In Berlin, we to ourselves 16-11. That brought down bit, but it wasn't a disappointment for us because we still the opportunity to get involved.

Speaker 1: Otherwise, I think can really say that current league is not quite as exciting as maybe the last few years. think that this year there is a very big gap between the first three places and then five to eight, so to speak, which you can from the results. In addition, we play with amateur Duisburg, because we third place also in Eurocup, which is currently also Yeah, it's not good. We could celebrate our first international success against Schönegg Solaris. was one and half weeks when we with one goal That course a huge number The hall was full. If you've to our swimming stadium, you know it's a little witch's And of when you international matches, the air there. And also... In in the Eurocup, it was the first game we could but before we a game with one goal against Tarasta in Spain. I think these relatively remarkable results. I think we can proud of that we the German waterball internationally well. And not just as it was in years, that it was only Wasp and Spandau that in international waterball. but that the ASD Duisburg has slowly started it and is doing a good job. Yes, so it was announced by WUKORG, according to the press release that went out in the articles. I think one the headlines was, we're on now, something that. So you noticed that this headline had a certain effect on the evening of according to the motto, we're on it now. press release was woken up.

Speaker 1: Definitely. But I think with the results so it wasn't out of We're on And also confirmed that we're not just on it, but we were the best team It wasn't just announced, but it was realistic to the goal that we are now on Or not us, you are on We will into the current league There are still various other topics that come to mind, as the Bundesliga and so on. But maybe at the very if we at the beginning. You haven't been in Duisburg How was your career going for people who are interested in waterballing? I would to your thoughts about it. Okay, so if I at the very beginning... I Let's from the With everything that's

Speaker 1: I'm sorry. Right. I 2009. I was a professional swimmer But I was too stupid to this typical kachelnzeh. And then my... Right, the kachelnzeh. Right. And then my best friend, a cousin, played waterball. He said, swimming is too boring for come to the waterball Vara Veda, der Begriff.

Speaker 1: It was and I think I'm someone who a team sport for himself. I really excited and stayed with I to pretty well. I discovered and promoted That a pot-stun. My question to answer with the one always in the low-key. I was one of the first to go sports school in Potsdam We went in the 7th grade. That was the moment when started about this hobby sport. When go to a sports school you level up your career path. He had perfect conditions. I 7th to 13th I my graduation there. In the meantime, all kinds of youth, as you know from other athletes, from U14 to U18 Bundesliga. And then I quickly joined the first men's team in Potsdam.

Speaker 1: I played for Potsdam in the first Bundesliga I won bronze medals in the Bundesliga with Potsdam. After my fifth year, I realized that I to more out of the water. I the step and went to Amateur Duisburg, where I've three seasons now. It was for me. I feel very comfortable here now. I think you could say it's a class higher than in Potsdam, when it to international experience. That was the Bundesliga. And then this relatively typical career that you... I to national team time. Of course, I for the youth national team I European championship In 2020, Corona year, we a world championship in Prague, but that was all in my youth. Then I was really to the men's national team And I been part of the national team So, I'll Potsdam and Duisburg are the home ports, I almost said. You just mentioned this construct in Potsdam. Did you say that it started at that time? So, maybe it for that Andre Laube is also very involved with colleague Chigier. This whole construct is already I'd say These sports schools or elite sports schools, they're called, are also other cities. In Hannover, I know where they are, but there are many more. But I say that's the ideal constellation if you one with the other optimally. Or what makes Potsdam so special or particularly good? Because if there's something different, but in Potsdam

Speaker 2: I like it works very well. What do they differently or better? I there are many factors. It's really an elite school of sports. The training routine is in the school routine. A very simple example. I had four hours of lessons. I jumped into the water, trained an hour then went back to school, four hours of lessons. I know this from Duisburg or, as you say, from Hannover, Erzählungen. It's usually the that you before and after And in Potsdam was really like that during the school time. I think also with this construct at the airport, so that's the sports school in Potsdam, there you have many very, very good things on one spot. So I still that the school route, from the school to the hall, way did not 10 minutes. That means you really optimal conditions And additionally, I didn't myself, but the sports school in Potsdam also an boarding school, which is also right next to the school, where you If you from far away, can live and sleep and therefore have optimal conditions to combine school and sport, which is not always easy, especially if you have little further ways and so on. I would basically confirm what I perceive from the more or less, also from the stories you said about with other people who may have on the internet or at these schools. That it is very, very much or more integrated. So not like around the exactly as you said. So just normal school and maybe for the morning training another liberation and maybe one or the other on the weekend, a Friday liberation or something.

Speaker 2: But that's it. And as you said, is a step further, because it's more homogeneous. It's all intertwined. The big advantage is that all students at this school are practicing some kind of performance sport. it soccer, athletics, waterball, whatever. And all students in this class have the same problems and the same techniques they can exchange. And at normal schools, are waterballers who want this step to go to performance sport and go the morning training, to the evening training. They go to school with... Third, play football or some sport, but probably not at this level like the waterballers to do And that's just a huge advantage at this sports school in Potsdam. It's a bit more in-person. It may sound bit negative, but everyone has the same direction, the same idea of doing something with performance sports, no matter if it's basketball, or rowing or whatever. I it's a completely different community nowadays. You have completely different topics and can them. what you're sports and maybe complement each at one or another. don't know, did you any connections to other sports?

Speaker 1: Yes, of We always thought that we waterballers always get very well with handballers. You're also the Bona, so that's also a team sport. And yes, I friends who still keep this day. Where course the paths always a bit. That was with me, of when I to Duisburg, was of not easy to friendships. But I think you that if they really good friendships.

Speaker 2: I imagine that if you at a sports school or elite school of sports together, you developed a bit in parallel, then I'll around so that the water balls go to Olympics and then you meet the Olympic village with whom you were at a school ago. of course. don't know, throw volley ball, whatever. So that would a cool number. I imagine that. I actually something similar. We were in China at the Universiade We didn't meet, but I found out that a former classmate of mine was in China. So it totally great. I was just about say that would have the same in green. So I that really cool at this point. But yes, we'll as the next topic, because it was not only three years ago. It is true. There was a small event a few months ago, to speak. Was there any when you decided to to this elite school, to professionalize and to focus on Was any moment when you said, well, maybe it wasn't the right idea or right decision? Of everyone probably has some moments where you say, well, maybe wasn't the right decision. But was there anything in the past? So now in retrospect, no way, in retrospect I can say that the decision to to the sports school and make this path into performance sports was definitely the right Of course there were always points that every athlete will know, especially when you start to this sport professionally or have to training while in teenage times maybe everyone else meets and he something else.

Speaker 2: Other events in training. I it's if I my friends and not have to to the swimming pool and for 2.5 hours. In retrospect, it definitely worth and I'm super happy that I did But you probably want to whether I ever doubted the performance of Yes, among other So, it can happen.

Speaker 1: When I was in Potsdam I no doubt that I wanted playing because I was totally rooted in waterball. I today jumping into the water and the ball back and forth. But of you always with the thought of... How long can I this sport on that level without it my rest of For example, pushing up or... Generally, it's not always easy to this student's everyday life with the sport. And of you about again, okay, if I don't on that level anymore, but maybe I two or three a week. Maybe I'll for the second team or something else and concentrate on my studies or do my training. I this thought in But thanks to the offer I from Duisburg, the topic was quickly taken away the table. Because I the chance to the sport on a completely different level and to my life. That's a good one. I was just about say that only the in sense of and study is an important topic, but somehow the money has from at least for the running costs and maybe ideally for a bit of the other, but somehow an important topic. Now we already on the topic of ASCD.

Speaker 2: The wexel dahin, ja, sagtest du ja gerade schon, war ein gutes Angebot, wahrscheinlich gefühlt, höre ich jetzt so bisschen raus, genau zum richtigen Moment. Erste Zweifel und dann kommt da einer die Ecke und macht ja ein so lukratives Angebot, was das angeht. War das jetzt, sagtest du schon, in der dritten Saison oder, ich sag jetzt mal, about drei Jahre dann da, war das Yeah.

Speaker 2: At the beginning it was easier, was difficult, there some difficulties. mean, a club change, city change, then studying somewhere else, maybe. These all things that you don't even next to, I think. Of course there were difficulties and also running problems. But I really say that I very open arms. The club didn't really lot effort into me living well in the I was actually lucky that my girlfriend relatively quickly, okay, if you want go to Duisburg, I'll come with you. That means I the advantage that I alone, but really together. and we lived together in Duisburg. I think that's a special thing about our sport, and I think anyone who has ever changed There's never this point where you end completely unfamiliar. You know each in the water work scene, I knew a people from Duisburg. A very good friend mine changed from Potsdam to Duisburg so I always an contact there. And generally, I think you this waterball community. We had to a flat get and find the right study. There are relatively few problems because you are very quickly integrated into team activities and therefore get new people. But I think that's... not necessarily something special about Duisburg did great job and I'm very grateful for But I think that's in every club. That you're really welcomed

Speaker 2: Exactly what you said. the waterball community is not that big, but you run across the road You know one or the where you say, okay, I'm not quite the foreign factor in a club. new team. But especially if a girlfriend says, okay, watch out, it fits for me for we can together. That's an additional bonus point at this point. That's not so natural, let's put that definitively.

Speaker 1: No, of course not.

Speaker 2: Now you it's okay with the ASCD then again to the new level, but we in Potsdam that it is already very professional and very good and structured up to a certain point or level, also where you then necessarily maybe as such a What's the the It's not negatively, it has to exist. And if it doesn't exist, then maybe there many people in the club. But what were the biggest differences, you at with both glasses, at Potsdam, and the next level in Duisburg, and then maybe also... already perspective to the present state, because there has been a lot going So with the successful international qualifications, games, now won That is also a continuation of the development. Yes, definitely. think the biggest difference is that here Duisburg we are a very big club. We have around 4,500 members. Because we have a huge club area and probably many members in the AASD Duisburg are not members because of the waterball, but to this free bar or this facility. Because of beautiful layout, beautiful pond and so on. Exactly.

Speaker 1: So that grandma Erna can Sunday morning and go Potsdam simply these circumstances. Which leads to fact lot of their work or their official work being When organizational things. And here in Duisburg it all a bit... professionalized because we have people committed to for this club, but still care of water and live off And that's their main job. think that's the main point. And generally, I don't think it's a secret that Duisburg has more money available because of number I would say that's probably the main difference. Money is always a factor. And course, the number of members who contribute to the O-Bolus. And think that's you're saying. A high on the honor guard. But without it, it's not We all that. everyone such office is forced to it because we just said the water community is not that big now that everyone probably always two or three jobs in such club and this difference or this next step then is when you can afford it, stress on it, can afford it then really for and introduce them to take care of such topics Then what not every club can afford that That's the point, but that makes total sense. The first person I remember, I think very briefly, the first person I remember who probably has a huge influence on is Julian with his commitment. a sportsman, what's the the sportsman? Or something like that. And of as ex-National player, Bundesliga player, has already the one and the other.

Speaker 1: Sport is a lighter.

Speaker 2: And if someone like that can longer care of their own office, but can of such a topic, that's a big board you have

Speaker 2: Yes, that's not going easy in that case. But without the whole subject of honor guard, don't works. We've started the podcast as a CD of success.

Speaker 2: In the course of last few has in the and then, as I said, with Wuck, the coaching position. Then, probably, they to get on both sides. What would you say were the biggest... Well, construction sites might too negative, but the things that have in the last few weeks and Definitely.

Speaker 1: I think the biggest build we had was that we had a really strong squad You in the Bundesliga. I think was the first year Duisburg against Waspohanover. That was due to two things. Waspohanover didn't the best squad like ten years ago. Duisburg had a very strong squad. And since then we've every year, which really hurt the club. Of course we new approaches that really helped the club. And think now we've a point where we have a very homogeneous squad, which has over the last two, if not even three years. As you said, it's first time some fruit. You can't say that the last two years bad. No, no. That's part of the development. Right, but this year we the advantage that our squad hasn't changed as the last few years. Or rather that the core has stayed together. We have a very good new obligation. I'm about our example, two goalkeepers. It's no secret that Moritz Schenkel, former national goalkeeper was in Duisburg and his career

Speaker 1: And of when someone like that leaves the club, of course, no matter who comes that, a big hole And think this hole was relatively well by the new two goalkeepers this Which of course gives the whole team a little wind in And think that's the main point, that we well together and have really a good group. But that's good. mean, it's so nice. The stars, the team, you could say. There's no one who's going I mean, a star, not in the water ball but somehow out of it, but two or three experienced ones, two new goalkeepers who their job well and everything else grows together. Right. That like a plausible plan. And the possibilities within a team, when people join and you develop further, necessarily, not necessarily, but ideally, wins like international or a better standing or a better place in the Bundesliga

Speaker 2: What the biggest development in the last two three years in terms I the point is that the current national players, from national team, the last two or three years, especially in the first three clubs. They now leading players. Three years when you of Spandau or Waspo, they were on foreign players. I think that's actually, mean, there's been German rule that at least seven German athletes should or should I think that's how you try to the German team forward And I think that somehow worked. That the German national team players are the main players in the teams and still, I mean, Waspo has now also I they've the Champions League five years now. And you can that not only in our Duisburg something is but also in the other teams.