Bauvafa
19 Jan 2004, 01:08 PM
HAMBURG- Mehdi Mahdavikia is without doubt THE mega-crowd favourites at HSV. The Iranian wing-wizard has delighted the HSV faithful (and everyone else at the club), by deciding to agree to a deal which will keep him at the AOL Arena until 2007.
He said this week that he gets goose-bumps when he hears 50,000 people calling his name in home games. In an interview with a Hamburg newspaper, Mahdavikia explains why he chose to stay at HSV, instead of taking one of the three other offers on the table, which were financially more lucrative. Read on to see what "Meeeehdi" had to say.
Herr Mahdavikia, why are you staying for another 3 years at HSV?
MEHDI MAHDAVIKIA: I talked to my wife for hours about things. We have many friends in Hamburg and I've enjoyed being here for the past few years. I'm very happy at HSV, the contact to the coach, management and the team is fine, it's a friendly atmosphere, and I'd like to win a title with HSV.
Which title would that be- the Bundesliga?
MAHDAVIKIA: Why not? We have a very good side, but dropped unnecessary points during the first half of the season. Stuttgart and Bremen have shown how things are done, and we can follow suit.
Did you take less money to stay at HSV?
MAHDAVIKIA: Yes. I had 2 or 3 good offers from other clubs, but I'd rather not talk about them. I always wanted to stay at HSV.
You have always said that the sporting perspective was your top priority....
MAHDAVIKIA: . . . Obviously, it's important for me to know which players I will be playing with next season. It is the dream of every player to be successful.
When did you make your final decision?
MAHDAVIKIA: On Wednesday evening. I said to my agent: "I want to stay at HSV, please make the necessary arrangements."
Which role did the HSV fans play in your final decision? After all you are the big crowd favourite at HSV.
MAHDAVIKIA: I have received incredible support during the last few months, fans in the Color-Line Arena told me: "Mehdi, you have to stay here!" Of course our brilliant fans played a major role in my staying here."
When the year 2007 comes around, you will have been at the club for 8 years. Do you plan to take on a more responsible role within the team?
MAHDAVIKIA: A leader? I like to take responsibility, but the other experienced players have to as well. I remember well, how tough things were for me during my first six months at the club. I was helped a lot by the experienced players at HSV at the time. Now I'd like to do the same for the youngsters currently at HSV.
He said this week that he gets goose-bumps when he hears 50,000 people calling his name in home games. In an interview with a Hamburg newspaper, Mahdavikia explains why he chose to stay at HSV, instead of taking one of the three other offers on the table, which were financially more lucrative. Read on to see what "Meeeehdi" had to say.
Herr Mahdavikia, why are you staying for another 3 years at HSV?
MEHDI MAHDAVIKIA: I talked to my wife for hours about things. We have many friends in Hamburg and I've enjoyed being here for the past few years. I'm very happy at HSV, the contact to the coach, management and the team is fine, it's a friendly atmosphere, and I'd like to win a title with HSV.
Which title would that be- the Bundesliga?
MAHDAVIKIA: Why not? We have a very good side, but dropped unnecessary points during the first half of the season. Stuttgart and Bremen have shown how things are done, and we can follow suit.
Did you take less money to stay at HSV?
MAHDAVIKIA: Yes. I had 2 or 3 good offers from other clubs, but I'd rather not talk about them. I always wanted to stay at HSV.
You have always said that the sporting perspective was your top priority....
MAHDAVIKIA: . . . Obviously, it's important for me to know which players I will be playing with next season. It is the dream of every player to be successful.
When did you make your final decision?
MAHDAVIKIA: On Wednesday evening. I said to my agent: "I want to stay at HSV, please make the necessary arrangements."
Which role did the HSV fans play in your final decision? After all you are the big crowd favourite at HSV.
MAHDAVIKIA: I have received incredible support during the last few months, fans in the Color-Line Arena told me: "Mehdi, you have to stay here!" Of course our brilliant fans played a major role in my staying here."
When the year 2007 comes around, you will have been at the club for 8 years. Do you plan to take on a more responsible role within the team?
MAHDAVIKIA: A leader? I like to take responsibility, but the other experienced players have to as well. I remember well, how tough things were for me during my first six months at the club. I was helped a lot by the experienced players at HSV at the time. Now I'd like to do the same for the youngsters currently at HSV.