Lukas Hradecky: „We want to win games“
15. June 2021
Lukas Hradecky and the Finnish national team have made it to the European Championship for the first time ever. The goalkeeper is the Scandinavians’ number 1. Lukas and the national team from the far north have already made history. We met him and talked to him about the first European Championship participation, the team and the chances of the Finns.
June 11 was the opening match of this year’s European Championship. You are also involved as the best goalkeeper in Finland. What does it mean to you to be able to take part in this tournament?
It’s the biggest event in Finnish soccer history. I just want to be healthy for it and represent Team Finland in the best possible way with my mates. Together we can and may write history. That already means a lot to me! I’m proud to have been given this chance and hopefully to represent Finnish soccer in a good way. It’s time to show the world and Europe how soccer is played at the North Pole.
„We are a very cool group and we all have the same mentality too, that’s all that matters!”
It’s certainly a very exhausting time that you’re going to have when you have to play a lot of games in a short period of time. There are certainly limits to what you can do. How do you perceive this tournament? How much are you looking forward to it?
Of course, I don’t know what to expect, since Finland will be represented for the first time. In addition, due to the Corona pandemic, the schedule will certainly be different from what I’m used to. In the end, I have to say I’m just looking forward to it! It doesn’t matter if we have to stay in the hotel longer than usual or if we have to observe other restrictions.
We are a very cool group and also all have the same mentality, that’s all that matters! We just want to show that you can play top-class soccer in Finland as well and that you don’t have to go abroad to do it. Of course, this team spirit connects us a lot. We speak the same language and can laugh together at our jokes. This is how we create our own Finnish atmosphere, no amount of time together can be too long. In fact, we would be very happy if we were allowed to play the European Championship together until the final. (laughs)
What are the expectations for you and your team?
We are not going there just to participate! We want to win games! We’ll see whether we can make it to the group stage or even further. Maybe we can make history like the Icelanders. Of course we will take that as inspiration. At this point, of course, many greetings to Hannes in Iceland. You have shown us how it can be done, now it’s time for us to copy the whole thing.
„For us Finns it is of course very nice that at least some fans can be there.“
Spectators yes or no? What do you think about it as a player?
I think in the countries where the group matches will be played, things are looking very good at the moment with the vaccinations and the whole pandemic. As of today, I think we can expect a lot of spectators. That would be very nice for us Finns, of course, because we could experience normal European Championship conditions to some extent.
Your tip: Who will be European Champion?
Finland! (laughs)
Thanks for your time Lukas and have fun and success for the upcoming games.
Thanks, see you soon
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