The star guard and captain of Huuhkaji and Leverkusen sometimes finds himself thinking about how big things are happening around him right now. Leverkusen is going strong, as the team leads the German premier league.
– Sometimes you wonder, for a moment, if this is really real, Lukas Hradecky give a laugh.
Hradecky is at the top of European club football. Bayer Leverkusen leads the Bundesliga with 25 points out of a possible 27. Suomalaisveskari is one of the team’s stars.
– That feeling when the adrenaline flows in the veins… When you play a good match against Bayern (Munich), yes, in the evenings you think that you used to go there. And let’s try to rise again to a new day, Hradecky analyzes his feelings.
He joined the group in 2018, and since then the club’s best finish in the Bundesliga is third place in the second season. Now the way is open for even better results, even though the big teams Bayern (23 points), Dortmund (21 points) and Leipzig (20 points) have started the season strongly.
However, Hradecky’s thoughts do not float too much Harry Kane or in stopping the shots of other megastars. The time for feeling out is later.
– I try to keep it more distant. Then when you sometimes stop, you can delve into those moments and think about what has made everything happen. I’m just trying to do this job. And the goalkeeper game is similar all over the world. I just happen to play big matches sometimes.
Vahti is living his dream
Down-to-earth, openness, frankness and honesty. They have made – in addition to his brilliant goalkeeping – Hradecky a fan favorite in both Huuhkaj and Leverkusen.
The attachment relationship also works in the other direction. Hradecky says he gets a lot from fans. He senses the energy and care coming from the stands even in the worst moments.
– Last season didn’t go well for me either, but I found credit and encouragement, he praises.
Hradecky knows why supporters appreciate him.
– I always try to be authentic. I don’t try to piss one way or the other, I don’t talk about shit in the press. It would be the biggest sin for me if I tried to be something other than what I am. Fans will surely see through everything like that.
– Transparent, a young man living his dream. That’s how I am. That’s certainly what the fans appreciate the most, Hradecky sums up.
“Nobody knows what that one beer is”
Sports-mad writer Minna Lindgren pakinoi about recovery and the numerous different products used for it. In his pack, Lindgren raised “one disreputable recovery drink to the selection of artificial trendy products”.
One beer and a lot of water, was the recipe of the packer.
– It works. That one beer can be used in many situations. Nobody knows what that one beer is. Sometimes another one can, by chance, be a good thing, Hradecky, known as a big beer lover, laughs.
Hradecky says that he needs more psychological than physical recovery in his own work.
– This job of mine is not suitable for everyone. My job description is different from, for example Iivo in Niskase, which needs a little more recovery and investment in what happens off the track. Who sings that I did it my way… (Frank) Sinatra, yeah I have done this in my own way.
Lukas Hradecky and a sports journalist in the sports frenzy Pekka Holopainen were discussing Jussi Paasin led by, among other things, the everyday life of the star player in Leverkusen and the difficult situation of Huuhkajie. Hradecky has a recipe for improving the national team’s performances.
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