Fin Bartels transferred in the summer from St. Pauli to Werder. The Kiel native has already collected experience in explosive derbies with his former team. On Sunday, the 27-year-old will...
Fin Bartels transferred in the summer from St. Pauli to Werder. The Kiel native has already collected experience in explosive derbies with his former team. On Sunday, the 27-year-old will...
Fin Bartels transferred in the summer from St. Pauli to Werder. The Kiel native has already collected experience in explosive derbies with his former team. On Sunday, the 27-year-old will play in his first North Derby with Werder.
Hello Fin. You have been in Bremen half a year with Werder - have you gotten used to things here?
Fin Bartels: "Absolutely. We felt very good from the start. I was really accepted into the team and quickly got used to things and feel very welcome in the city as a family. Bremen fits us really good."
Your opinion is probably so positive also because things are going so well sporting wise for you ...
Fin Bartels: "It's not very easy when you come to a new club. First you have to look around. And the quality in the training here is pretty high, so I had to get used to it first. But that worked out really well and I found my spot in the team. Now I am trying to help us get better with good performances and move up the table step by step. We as a team are on a very good path and me personally as well."
And on Sunday there is a real highlight.
Fin Bartels: "I am so much looking forward to it, the whole team too. The tickets are all already gone, everybody can't wait for the derby. Because of the current situation for both teams, maybe there's a bit more explosiveness. I can't wait and because of my Hamburg past, maybe I am one percent more excited about it than the others. I have already been in two super derbies, and I didn't lose either of them. That shouldn't change on Sunday.
The matches between Werder and Hamburg electrify the fans traditionally well in advance of the match day. Do you as player notice that?
Fin Bartels: "I have been asked about the game everywhere already for days. Regardless if it's in the bakery, in the supermarket or at the gas station, it gives you courage. That is also the big difference between the derbies with Pauli and now with Werder - with Pauli it was the small Gallic village, here everyone in the whole city is looking forward to the match and everyone wants the best for Werder. We all know what it's about."
The team has collected three victories in a row under the leadership of the new coaching staff. What's your impression of Viktor Skripnik and his team?
Fin Bartels: "The four of them really love the job and have amazing experience as players - you listen to them and know what they say must be true. The whole team works very meticulously every day, prepares for everything and show us their game philosophy. The coaching staff's energy is fun and contagious. The positive atmosphere lifts us."
What must happen on Sunday for the positive atmosphere to continue?
Fin Bartels: "Nothing really has to change. The fans will push us forward wildly and we will play with confidence and take on the fight. We will not take a step back and will try to play our game. It will be important for us to believe in ourselves and our game."
