[Dead Fingers]

Please continue.


Previous thread
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=519122

[F96]

Well, what better way to start this thread than with an interview of the newest SECHSUNDNEUNZIGER Leon Balogun.

Signing young promising players is always great because you just hope they will be something special and lead 96 to new exciting heights. ;D

They are all cute and innocent until their agents persuade them to only sign a two-year deal so that can leave earlier to a bigger club.

Ahem, sorry.
Well, here it is, sorry about some weird translations but it's the best I can do.

Hallo Leon, welcome at Hannover 96. We're glad that you decided to join our club. How did 96 approach you?
Andreas Bergmann (U23 coach) called my agent and then I was scouted by them. Later Hochstätter called me and was very nice and invited me to come to Hannover. Here Herr Hochstätter, Herr Hecking and Herr Kind had a very good talk with me and after that the decision to join Hannover was pretty much already set in stone.

You had offers from Bremen and Herrtha as well, why did you decide to join 96?
I feel that I have the better chance to develop here. Hannover is a good place for me to only concentrate on football. Berlin is a big city with many distractions and my old friends. Yeah, I get it, Hannover is boring. Even though I feel that I could mentally deal with it I think a new beginning is not a bad thing.

What do you know about Hannover and 96 yet? What's your first impression? Of course he wouldn't say anything bad here but hey that's what we want to hear right?

I had a quick look at the stadium with Herrn Hochstätter and my agent but I didn't see the city yet but my first impression is great. 1-A, really. Well done.

This is your first full season and you made the first eleven from the start. What is the main difference between the juniors and first team?

The game is much more physical but there things that I found to be demanding with the juniors as well, the pace for example. You don't have as much space, now with the men you have more time because the forwards aren't as aggressive. The game is much more tactical.

What are your expectations about your first professional season?
The best possible - I will try get comfortable here as good as possible. They way I assess (?) this city and people I will have a good start here. Of course it won't be easy in the beginning to be away from home and live on my own for the first time but I'm looking forward to it. It's a challenge and I feel that you can only grow and mature on challenges.

You are a German-Nigerian. How come? Intelligent question, lol.
My father is Nigerian and my mother is German, but she's also half-Italian. We are a real multiculti family.

So are more of a German workhorse footballer or a fine nigerian techncian? Yay for stereotypes.
I'm a good mix but maybe I'm more of a workhorse, my technique could be better but you can always improve.

You are a CB but can also play the fullback position. What can 96 fans expect of you?
I can play all defensive positions and also as d-mid. When I was with Hertha I was actually a forward but that didn't go that well. I'm most comfortable in defense.

For what country would you like to play?
For Germany I think. I don't really think that they would accept me for the Nigerian NT. For a mixed kid my skin is pretty white.

Berti Vogts was Nigeria's coach, has there been any contact?
He was playing Oberliga, why would Bert call him?

No, I didn't play for any youth NTs.

Who are your idols?
Mohammed Ali, because I think he stood in for a great thing. Football players I admire are Nesta and Lucio, some people compare me to them. Thuram is great as well. There are many, I can't really narrow it down.

Thanks for the interwiew.

http://www.hannover96.de/CDA/profis/...iews/leon.html

[96Squig]

Nice, and thanks, would have missed it if you would not have posted it.

[footyfan1]

Originally Posted by Fräulein96

Well, what better way to start this thread than with an interview of the newest SECHSUNDNEUNZIGER Leon Balogun.

Signing young promising players is always great because you just hope they will be something special and lead 96 to new exciting heights. ;D

They are all cute and innocent until their agents persuade them to only sign a two-year deal so that can leave earlier to a bigger club.

Ahem, sorry.
Well, here it is, sorry about some weird translations but it's the best I can do.





http://www.hannover96.de/CDA/profis/...iews/leon.html

Thanks for the translation! I also loved your comments within the interview! I'll be on the lookout for this kid!

[F96]

Just imagine the skin-tone quote reversed:

For what country would you like to play?
For Nigeria I think. I don't really think that they would accept me for the German NT. For a mixed kid my skin is pretty dark.

[footyfan1]

Originally Posted by Fräulein96

Just imagine the skin-tone quote reversed:

For what country would you like to play?
For Nigeria I think. I don't really think that they would accept me for the German NT. For a mixed kid my skin is pretty dark.

I'd rather not imagine it.

[F96]

Originally Posted by footyfan1

Thanks for the translation! I also loved your comments within the interview! I'll be on the lookout for this kid!

Thanks.
I'll guess he'll see time with the amateurs first (let's hope in the Regionalliga and not 5th level).
Maybe he'll be great or maybe he won't be good enough, I'm excited to see.

Originally Posted by footyfan1

I'd rather not imagine it.

Yeah, I know. I just couldn't help to be somewhat disturbed by this quote while translating it.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Wow you were spot on about the Berlin distractions thing!

[blue_wizard10]

Hello everyone, I wasn't sure where to post this but I have a huge problem, need or whatever you want to call it. I'm going to Hannover this summer and I really want to go to the last game on the 17th against Cottbus...the thing is that I live in Mexico City and there's no way I can get the tickets from here, so I was wondering if any of you could help me out with this. I'm really desperate cus I really want to go to this game.

Thanks!

[F96]

Originally Posted by blue_wizard10

Hello everyone, I wasn't sure where to post this but I have a huge problem, need or whatever you want to call it. I'm going to Hannover this summer and I really want to go to the last game on the 17th against Cottbus...the thing is that I live in Mexico City and there's no way I can get the tickets from here, so I was wondering if any of you could help me out with this. I'm really desperate cus I really want to go to this game.

Thanks!

It won't be sold out so just go to the stadium and either buy tickets off a scalper or at the stadium.

Atmosphere will be shit because this game is not important for 96 anymore and I guess there will be 32.000 max inside the stadium.

Buy a ticket close to the Cottbus fans (W11 or W12) because they at least will be interesting to watch.