Nike Lorenz leads the German hockey women as captain to the World Cup. In the interview she talks about her new coach, her new role and sustainability.
Question: How ready is the German team for this highlight?
Nike Lorenz : It’s an extraordinary situation because not much time has passed since the Olympic Games in Tokyo. And at the same time we had a change of coach. But I think we’ll have a good feeling at the start of the tournament on Saturday. German hockey teams are always tournament teams. We always have a development in the tournament.
Question: At the Olympics there was an end in the quarterfinals against Argentina. I know that you personally had to nibble on it. Is that an extra motivation now?
Nike Lorenz: It’s good that we have a tournament again and that things can get going again quickly. Of course, the quarter-finals at the Olympics are an issue for us, also because we were knocked out in the quarter-finals at the 2018 World Cup. Of course we discuss these knockout games. It’s well known that we haven’t performed that well in recent years. But it feels like a lot of time has passed, also because you lived in between. So it feels more like a fresh start and a huge opportunity. So I’m really happy.
Question: What does “lived” mean?
Nike Lorenz: I was in England where I studied and played hockey for nine months. But before that, we completely isolated ourselves for two years. It was crazy what we had to tell each other at the first meeting after Tokyo.
Question: You had a corona infection. Are you at 100 percent again?
Nike Lorenz: I can still feel it a bit, I still feel a little weak at times – especially when I’m doing my best. But I don’t know if it wouldn’t have hit me the same way after a normal illness. But I was lucky how it went. At the start of the World Cup I won’t feel any of that anymore.
Question: What are your goals for the tournament?
Nike Lorenz: As a team, we talk a lot about winning knockout games. We still have to learn how to sum up our performance. If the tournament is already taking place in two countries, then it would be cool to take that with you. That would mean that we win the quarter-finals and then travel to Spain for the semi-finals. That’s not so cool from a sustainability perspective, but we would want to take that with us and then finish the tournament there.
Question: Quiz question: Do you know when a German women’s team last won a medal at a World Cup?
Nike Lorenz: Ääääähm … 89?
Question: 98 – but the numbers were correct. Now you are already playing against one of the title candidates in the preliminary round. How do you approach the game against the Netherlands, the current Olympic champions?
Nike Lorenz: We haven’t won against Holland in ages. But we’ve come close in recent years. We’re not afraid of being shot down and you don’t think you’re going to lose anyway. Or that you are the blatant underdog. But it’s hard work to win these games. The top of the world is close together. That’s why it’s not the crass indicator. We look at ourselves. But it is still a mega game and the anticipation is great.
Question: Valentin Altenburg is the new coach. What does he think is going well and what isn’t?
Nike Lorenz: You have to ask the coach that. We should bring emotion to the pitch. It’s about just winning the games and not winning them well or nicely, so we have to lower our standards. This has gotten better. He focuses on defense. It’s supposed to be difficult to win against us, we’re supposed to close everything, intercept balls and then counterattack. So everything is a bit more tactical. We made good progress there and the coach seems relatively happy with it.
Question: You are the chief of defense. You’re only 25 years old, but you won Olympic bronze in 2016 and have been at the bottom ever since. What is your role in the now rejuvenated squad?
Nike Lorenz: I no longer play defense. I’ve become a striker.
Question: How did that come about?
Nike Lorenz: I played more in midfield in Tokyo because I also have very good offensive qualities. And now I’m a centre-forward because we want to defend well up front in the front row. Another defender was also placed in the storm, so that we can already defend in front and intercept the balls.
Question: Where do you see yourself in the team in terms of management positions?
Nike Lorenz: I’m one of the experienced ones. I know I can have a big impact on the girls – on and off the pitch. But we are all close to each other and on an equal footing. It’s a very close relationship with a lot of girls. But I am aware of the responsibility and accept it. That gets more percentage out of me than it puts me under pressure.
Question: You are involved in many different ways. For Sports for Future, against the climate crisis and racism, for Ukraine, you have your own blog. But hockey is not the big sport. Do you still think you can have an impact?
Nike Lorenz: Yes, I can definitely influence the people around me and drive positive change. And as a national hockey player, the reach is greater. That pushes me.
Question: Sustainability. At the Olympics, you planted a hockey forest in South Africa, in which fans and other teams can also participate, in order to reduce the CO2 pollution caused by the many sports trips.
Nike Lorenz: With the introduction of the Pro-League 2019 we traveled to Australia for a single game. Some of the girls have since become more interested in the topic of sustainability. At the same time, our attention as a national team has grown. We wanted to use that to get things moving.
Of course we can’t compensate for that with a hockey forest, but we no longer feel in a situation where we can just stand still. We feel responsible. If we reach the semi-finals in Spain, then we will push the hockey forest again.
Question: 1998 was the last medal at a World Cup. How realistic is it that there will be one in 2022?
Nike Lorenz: The world leaders are close together, Holland is the undisputed leader. If we win the quarter-finals, then we have a very good chance of taking a medal with us. But as women’s hockey has evolved, it’s damn hard to get in the top four.
Question: Ireland and Chile – the other opponents shouldn’t be underestimated either, right?
Nike Lorenz: No, not at all. The Irish are incredibly snappy, they throw themselves into every ball. We’re superior in terms of play, but their commitment is really tough. Chile plays very spirited and emotional. You have to get to a certain level emotionally, but that’s where we’re currently focusing. We are ready.
Jan Wochner conducted the interview.