Sebastian Kühner
In the previous play-off rounds against Dresden and Buhl you were able to win the series without defeat. How do you feel in this crucial phase of season with five more play-off matches to play?
Sebastian Kühner: “At the moment I feel very good and I am ready for the fight for the championship. Against the VC Dresden we played very confidently in the quarterfinals and also shown solid performance in the semi-finals against the TV Buhl. The heaviest of the five games was away in Buhl.”
Compared to the rest of the team, this lineup in the past season won the championship, and Kromm Robert who won the title in 2004, it’s first play-off final on your career?
“Yes, that’s right. This is my first appearance in the final, so I’m proud that we did. I love this atmosphere at the home games in the final. I could see this as a viewer and now I am participant in the field.”
Your final opponent, VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN clearly defeated Generali UNTERHACHING in the other semifinals with three victories. Have you followed this series and how you appreciate VfB after these success?
“Yes, I have looked on the internet games and was impressed by how much the VfB has increased compared to the regular season. With the two new players Sebastian Krause and Valentin Bratoev the team seems to found the way to success. After all, Generali UNTERHACHING has been a really tough opponent. So I think that definitely FRIEDRICHSHAFEN is ready for the final and we need to get our top performance if we want to defend the title.”
How do you estimate the home advantage in such an intense series?
“The home games may be crucial in our title defense. The unique atmosphere in our hall is irreplaceable for us as a team. Here we can play aggressively and build the pressure on the other team. Therefore, the home advantage for us is extremely important because it is always difficult to play in FRIEDRICHSHAFEN. But when we perform there as consistently as in the regular season, we can win away matches.”
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