University in the morning, training in the evening, lots of phone calls in the meantime: Nöttingen keeper Robin Kraski is busy a few days before the cup clash with FC Bayern. “It's quite stressful at the moment,” the 23-year-old goalie admitted - but he cannot wait to compete with the German record cup winners.
In an interview with fcbayern.de, Kraski talks about the recent turbulent weeks, reveals who is the biggest Bayern fan in his team, reports on the euphoria in Nöttingen – and explains how the FCN cup hit came about.
Interview: Robin Kraski
fcbayern.de: Welcome Robin! We're not the only ones who would like to talk to you at the moment. Quite a bustle these days, isn't it?
Robin Kraski: (laughs) “Yes, that's right. This is my fifth interview in short order. Besides, I'm in the middle of exams right now and have to learn a lot. I'm a business student. It's quite stressful at the moment.”
fcbayern.de: Are you sleeping well a few days before the big match against FC Bayern?
Robin Kraski: “Really well – because I'm hyped up all day. First I learn for the exams, then I attend training. I'm dead beat when I come home in the evening.”
fcbayern.de: Nevertheless you switched on the TV when FC Bayern entertained AC Milan (3-0) and Real Madrid (1-0) in the 2015 Audi Cup, didn’t you?
Robin Kraski: “Of course. I assume that most of our players have the games. A detailed analysis isn't necessary though. We're up against Bayern! No matter how much we analyse: it's going to be tough. So we haven't changed anything. We do everything as normal.”
fcbayern.de: Your coach Michael Wittwer is a professed Bayern fan. Are there fans among the players?
Robin Kraski: “A number! Mario Bilger (midfielder, fcbayern.de) for instance. He’s certainly our biggest Bayern fan. A dream comes true for him because he can play against his idols. Personally, I root for Karlsruher SC.”
fcbayern.de: We've talked about the media attention at the beginning. How many people have been in touch with you to get a ticket?
Robin Kraski: “Of course people who I haven't seen for a long time – or never, for that matter – wrote to me (laughs). First they asked: 'How are you?' More often than not, the second question was: 'Can you get me a ticket?' (laughs) It's quite extraordinary.”
fcbayern.de: “The people of Nöttingen are out of their minds,” your chairman Dirk Steidl said a few days ago. In what ways?
Robin Kraski: “You can feel the euphoria in the whole village, the anticipation is huge, everyone's looking forward to the match. You can’t help but notice it. We’re play at the sold-out Wildparkstadion, but we could have sold twice the number of tickets. It's fantastic.”
fcbayern.de: A local butcher is even offering a club sausage now.
Robin Kraski: (laughs) That's right. I've never tried it. But Dirk Steidl and our coach are thrilled! I haven't heard any other feedback though (laughs again).”
fcbayern.de: Your own music video is causing quite a stir too. Who came up with the idea?
Robin Kraski: “The marketing manager of our health partner figured that one out. He's a hobby musician and sings the song. The whole team was involved in the video. We started the recordings in the sound studio in the morning, the camera came with us all day. The clip is very popular. The song is a real earworm! We’re supporting good causes with the revenues.”
fcbayern.de: The “Nöttingen defence sheriff” reveals his strategy for the match against FCB on the club's YouTube channel. In one of the clips the goal is bricked up. That's quite amusing.
Robin Kraski: “That was our goal. We wanted to show how much we're looking forward to the game and that we have no fear. We want to enjoy the game. It's going to be one of the biggest matches of a career for each of us.”
fcbayern.de: What’s FC Nöttingen’s game plan for the match?
Robin Kraski: “Being a fifth-tier team competing with one of the best teams in the world will be tough. Our goal has to be to keep a clean sheet as long as possible. We'll see from there...”
fcbayern.de: Do you dream about a penalty shootout from time to time?
Robin Kraski: (laughs heartily) “Dream? No, that's difficult. Of course it would be a sensation. But we have to be realistic. Still, we'll try everything we can. In any case it's going to be a festival, no matter what the result.”
fcbayern.de: If you had to find a motto for the game – what would that be?
Robin Kraski: “Just have fun!”
