Speaker 1: Today in conversation with Bundesliga player and former national player Ben Reibel. Now become a podcast buddy and get exclusive access to new podcast episodes. can on my website schulzekop.de

Speaker 1: Welcome to this podcast. you

Speaker 1: Get the insights.

Speaker 1: It starts again, this time with a German edition of the podcast. Today we Ben Reibel. Thank you for the time. I'm very Yes, very much. Thank you for the invitation. Yes, very much. I'm very excited for the next few minutes we'll together. So I'd the beginning.

Speaker 2: Yes, of First hello everyone. My name is Ben Reibel, I'm 24 years old. I in Krefeld, so from the beautiful Rhineland. I'm now a former national player and the Bundesliga at the SV Bayern Uerdingen and I'm definitely looking to a cool conversation today. We are already two. That's nice. You said former national player. Do a different view on the developments in the national team or the topics that have been in the last few weeks and There is a new coach, was an Olympic qualification that went bit like that. But are the first success stories with the new coach after the last results. Do you watch it differently or do yes, I'm still fan and I liked being national player, but wish the others all the The national team is definitely less present than before. I'm the results and what's on, but I'm in the picture. You're in conversation with the old teammates.

Speaker 2: Yes, definitely. We still calls and But the topic is not always just the ball and the national team. Exactly, that's good. If you've the people for decades and through the totals and the Bundesliga with the national team and so on, then it's good to discuss that don't necessarily to water. That's nice. Now you you're from Krefeld and currently you're playing for Bayer Oeddingen. Probably also family-wise, because his father wasn't very unsuccessful. Yes, right. My father played and had the opportunity to the Olympic Games Many people don't know that, but my mother was a waterball national team I don't she the national team in big tournament, but she also some international games. Yes, and I'll it my parents force me to play waterball. That was just on the hand.

Speaker 2: Yes, was programmed. I lot of When I was 10 11, I did tennis, waterball, swimming and basketball I was at the gym And then at 11, 12, 13, the coaches came and said, hey, If you to competitive sport, twice a week is too little. Then it started that I cut and then swimming. Then the decision between basketball and waterball. Then I for the waterball. I think I was relatively talented I'm also very big, but the biggest kid was always I think basketball would have quite well too. in the the at my was more fun, which I ended up But the many sports, you can from many, let's say, who have the end that as a child they of sports in and then simply tried them That's what probably doesn't that often these That someone or the child does a second sport in parallel, yes, but then maybe, as you just said, second, a third and a fourth. for every week and day, a sport. That's rare. I would say that this change was an advantage, that you tried

Speaker 2: Yes, definitely. I think basketball has me a lot of coordination. When you this big you are often not in Sometimes you don't know where to with your long arms. But basketball has definitely me a motivation for the whole of motor skills. That was definitely an advantage for the water sports. That's something that often in training courses for coaches. To look at other coaches or other sports, what the training adjustments are and what new training impulses and new stimuli are. So that's it in the picture. When you're sitting a court, coordination exercises and so on, you honestly. Waserball now rather less, but that's just on the other hand probably what you currently have what many children lack. That's you should do So you can probably actually do at sports like waterball, a lot of basketball, relatively a lot looking So if you do now from the engine, so you said was the driving factor at that point. Yes, Basketball is like waterball, a very demanding sport, but it's not in the water, it's on land. It's completely different feeling. But yes, it definitely me a And yes, I'll my swimming training. Now we're back with the My mother, was a at SV Bayer I was always swimming my mother's During my waterball time realized that even when we played international level I was always one the fastest players. My swimming skills and how my mother still behind to that brought me a lot. When my father...

Speaker 2: When I was at the breakfast table in before the games, which the pepper and salt spray back and forth and the table became the active tactical board, my mother said at the end, when you swim, please in the very front and please through to the back, that you can swim and that looks reasonable. my mother definitely had a big... I great contribution to also for my waterball performance, because I was always good But it's really because every Sunday breakfast is probably somehow already such a small team meeting. Tactics and team meetings. But it's demanding when both or three parties are so well known in both things. Yes, exactly. But in the beginning it was just pepper and salt. And the whole table was turned to the field. But that's less First of because I much less games and not so high level. And then I my father at I'm a national player I know it. I what I do is a big difference to what you in the 90s. Now let me do my thing. And then was a good ballon at

Speaker 1: Yeah, good. Also, dann hat man dann auch so ein paar Argumente auf seiner Seite, wenn man dann auch irgendwann mal Nationalspieler wird oder ist, dann kann man auch sagen, wie du schon sagst, okay, also so ganz frei vom Wissen, was aber technisch bin ich jetzt nicht, also wir können uns jetzt auf einer anderen Ebene austauschen vielleicht. Absolutely. Nowadays, children come to the water ball, they can't swim It's incredibly important that when you to the water ball, you can swim It makes everything easier. Or least not so completely, I'd freeing up bit talent when it to swimming. That you least see, that could over long or short. You often it the very beginning when someone comes Tactical breakfast, we've already clarified. Now, of course, if the father, you said it already, okay, the 90s it was playful and physical and tactically maybe a completely different number. Was it really like that, that your own father was a role model for least for the active time, or where it was going towards the national team? Yes, of think I can say both my parents are role models My dad is not only in a sporting aspect, but I can say that I him way and he has really helped So if you always a personal trainer in the games.

Speaker 2: who always takes special of you and every single movement, every throw and everything you do and discusses That has been very important to me and I would never have been able to so good without my father, can say with confidence. But that's interesting because, for the following reason, because as a parent of a child who waterball, or whatever other sport, it doesn't then of course you always think about how it affect the child. Does the child want me to and watch Does that any pressure? Or is it just like you said, that through this watching, a lot improved? So was it your case, if I understand not so oppressive for you, god, now he's looking at it and now there are 36 wheelbarrows behind it, but it wasn't the pressure. That was a change. There was a discussion when I said I would like if you me. My father said, are I will definitely to watch. That was not part the debate. Of course it was. It is always like Whenever you get and someone around your neck all and you tips. That gets at some point. But as I said, the end it was right and was good. It always or would say it your own spirit when you reflect okay, what in the game today, is it what he says? and everything my father says doesn't mean that I implemented but when I older I could already say, okay, that's really a valuable tip, but of course are things where I say, okay, I can for myself now that

Speaker 2: I'd I knew some what I could Yes, but it was a process. At the it wasn't very pleasant, but in the the alternative was No, I don't you come, you said, because then Holland would have but my dad always After he played, he was a coach He was also a short-term assistant coach at Rhein-Wuppa. I team like that anymore, it's just NRW. He helped Even when he the stands, he was on the bench. He was always there. It was lot of For example, I Barcelona, my dad holiday and was there two weeks and he the games. He in the World League and was in the final eight, 2-18. But it great to have a supporter on the stands. It me strength. That's interesting because if you always it from the other perspective, as a parent or as a coach and with child, maybe what he plays or any other sport, then course the question does it any pressure or not? But as you said, it's very different how the person deals So the child in that case, whether it like pressure or not.

Speaker 1: You some of the tournaments you were Was there any event that was the most What really stood out was the in Barcelona. It was my first big tournament, there were so many new impressions. I of the youngest in the team, completely uncared I was just happy to be there. The city Barcelona was a crucial point for because... In a big tournament one, you every two days. That means we day between training. And there was also time to go to the or to the city. So that was a great memory for But also the World Cup in Berlin, which in 2019, was a good memory because we played and I personally was quite good. These two tournaments were immediately behind each other. Those the best memories I have of the national team. And apart from the national team, there were various clubs, like you were at the like said, at Bayer Ödingen, but of course there were a few other clubs logically. Maybe you that, because there were also few more famous clubs.

Speaker 2: Yes, exactly. I started playing Bayern and I'm a real young Uerdinger. then, yes, that time the U17 Bundesliga for first time and Bayern didn't a team. But because I had for the youth team at I to... that I could the highest competition in my everyday life. The next opportunity was to an amateur, so amateur Duisburg. I was in the U17 Bundesliga and then I for the A-Jugend, where we two German championships with the A-Jugend. And then I the opportunity to in the first team. That was really cool because that was exactly the year when Duisburg German champion. That was the first contact I had with the men's And then when the U17 Bundesliga was over years, then it just OK, what is the best now, where do I want to where will I play And Duisburg then me I to yes, want to keep you, we want to up. But logically, it then as a 16-year-old not easy to into the team that has German champion. Yes, and then I had the opportunity to back to Bavaria, which then turned out be completely right for that I back to Bavaria. I had there with Kai Küpper, who me I fully confident from It was for my development that I play and my coach was fully confident. I think I was bit together because Kai Küpper played with my father in the past and trained him in various youth teams.

Speaker 2: At that time we were quite successful We in semi-finals we fourth. Then we even made it the cup final Of there a bit of luck. And then we somehow became cup winner I'll say my biggest success with Bayer. I can already The silver medal, we have that too. I think I four years in the Bundesliga at Bayern. After my graduation, I a few opportunities. I started playing waterball as a Now we're back connection to my father. I said I wanted he always wanted to Olympic games. I said that if I wanted I to at the level. And then, for me, the logical consequence was to to Spandau. Because with the coach Petar Kovacovic, it was a complete reprogramming of my waterball knowledge. I think a lot of Petar Kovacovic and he I much. That was for my development as a player. Then I in Spandau. Then I in Berlin Then I won two European championships two 18 in Barcelona and two 20 in Budapest. the World Cup 2018 Berlin and the World 2019 in Guangzhou. And then two years it's 2022, I went back to the and played for an ASCD And the November last year I've been playing MSV Bayern

Speaker 1: The is running

Speaker 1: And the name Peter Kovacevic always again and And everyone you talk about the man, he holds a lot of it and speaks the highest notes. And we as part the Ali Thins in Berlin and an incredibly quiet, sympathetic, smart guy, would say. But also really very, very quiet. I don't know how it for you back then during training. Everyone knows what to do and there isn't much to about and asked And then something is explained then a little fiff and then it starts. So that was very impressive. So if you say you a lot from that, I think that's probably your experience Yes, definitely. Petter makes a very calm impression, but when comes to training and important games, the goes up a bit. But that's normal, that's it has to be. But all these details and this meticulous work he tactically with the team and every single player, that was... It was phenomenal. It's that I can't him anymore. But as I he completely reprogrammed Yes, formatted and re-played. In that sphere, it's not a problem that it re-plays We've heard some talks, they were all German clubs. Was that an issue that you thought or that someone knocked your and said, about Barcelona or Spain?

Speaker 2: I thought about going abroad That would have better for a smaller club in the Spanish league. But they didn't Champions League at that time. That was a different situation But I think after my second year in Berlin I had the opportunity to to Spain and Hungary That was also when I preparing for the Olympics and all the other We had a large number of international players at That brought a lot and was the right decision. Well, it an option, but nothing out because it at the time, you said. It also to fit Yes, abroad is a super attractive thing. Almost all German players play here, in quotation marks, only in Germany. But as I said, that was not right time and I think I not have been so far that I have gone But would you say it would be beneficial for the national team, or for the performance level of some players the national team to abroad again? There are some examples from the past. Marc played abroad, Syre was abroad, there some abroad. But currently, you're right, there are to none.

Speaker 1: is maybe a difference from before. Maybe there be another push or an impulse. When you train completely different environment, with different coaches. I would say that would be an option, a possibility to the level a bit. I think it will If you at other national teams, are players from different leagues. They still at the highest level. I everyone a different input. You learn something new It's always a different country, different culture. A different waterball culture. In many countries, waterball has a different standing. I think that... that the single game will definitely bring Standing is one of the challenges or problems that you might in Germany. really, no matter if it's waterball or any other sport, which is, I'll say, after football, handball, basketball, volleyball or something like after that, doesn't really take place. And I think that's a big problem, too. But that's this hen-egg problem which I already have many. I to in the podcast. So, you're successful you the attention from the media, or do you the media attention to successful so that you a boost? I don't know. How do you that? You've a while now with the attention. Do you it differently or how do you solve the problem?

Speaker 2: No, I'm totally right that this is a problem. think the key point is that we have to sports for young people. And not only so attractive that they waterball, but also attractive that they it performance sport. My opinion is that you have to... to thinking short-term, you have to long-term. If I now to the national team, think Germany, I can that well for the time I was there, but if you like Germany couldn't at 12, 16 and 21. I have nothing to say, but if I something say, then would The team will with young players. The current World Cup will and the European will We will try a team for 2028. If we play with older players, the solution will be for Paris. For qualifiers, for Paris, the best team will be the the old players. But they will force the players to the place, which could develop. I think it would to over the one Olympic cycle and for 2028.

Speaker 2: The system that has used now, well, not much has changed in the national team. Of is a new coach, whom I personally don't know, but also seen what he with the Chinese women national team, who have played in Tokyo, against the Americans. But basically it's like always, a few people like me for example. And then everyone else keeps and then gets bit with young people who there and have the quality to play it. Then it's just stopped. And I think you really to look beyond the My favorite example are actually the Russians. They for the games or last year, but... Everyone who the qualification tournament saw they 5m shooting in the 5th round of the shoot-outs against the Croatians. And this team was the Russians for over 10 years. The Russians were completely in the 2000s. And then with the Heim WM in Kazan 2015, the Pöger Pöger up this team. If we want to the national team play in the future, that's only logical way. Now we're talking about what you said, how can we it more attractive If I look at the national team now, I think the men's team, unfortunately not but the men's team has quite good support. If we look at the help and the... I think we 12 Bundeswehr positions now. We have quite good funding measures. For water at such border, it's not wrong. I think we should this funding in way that we to young people. Or we have to distance from using the Bundeswehr positions in way that over the years

Speaker 2: that older player gives up. In my opinion, you to four years so And the maximum age for the Bundeswehr is 24. At that time, the boys have time to train they don't to worry And if you've been in the Bundeswehr then I think you year left. I called this transition benefit. That means get your salary or 80 % so, you paid That means would by the Bundeswehr And if then these four years that you were are over, then you get a new year. I think that would always bring fresh air in. And think that would also create certain attractiveness and motivation if you that That's my personal opinion and the logical consequence from the missed Olympics last year, I unfortunately injured, but if I try to it as a whole, that would be my approach. But this reminds me of the exact same discussion that was before Rotterdam, a bit further. After the motto, won't qualify why don't you just with the young ones? I don't know if that statement, they qualify anyway, but of course the idea was to with a young team, as you say, perspective frame.

Speaker 1: to and experienced people first, but to them a little bit That might harsh, but the most necessary with and to with a young group to them opportunity to experience. I think if you Olympic Qualifier with a young team, that would not the right You a missed one. There has to a cut. And then you to this team for four and eight years. And now, because of pandemic and the distance to next games in Paris is even shorter, it is all more complicated. And as I said, think it would useful if you your sustainability and little more and then for 2028 and just young people. Especially the growth in Germany with the national team and the juniors. They don't so badly in games and tournaments. You can't say they're unsuccessful. I don't that exactly, but I think that if you different years together in the national team, then you work We have a coach now, I heard that he is very good I think that would be realistic and feasible.

Speaker 1: I think if I've that, what you can between the lines or hear at one point or is a bit of rethinking going And I also that many have a bit or now realize, okay, so how it in last few years, we can't continue that the next few years, because that doesn't to a better result. I I the olympia quali Yes, definitely you agree with what you say.