Schalke’s captain and an acclimation helper in the National Team. Benedikt Höwedes is progressing. After a year that was marked by injuries, he is looking forward to his first major tournament. 

DFB.de Mr. Höwedes, the dream of Bavaria has burst, the final of the Champions League was lost in a dramatic fashion. How much do you and your colleagues pity the team?

Benedikt Höwedes: It was very sad that the Bavarians have lost. Of course I wished that the German team won. Above all, I’m sorry for Bastian that he didn’t score his penalty. But Bayern have delivered a very good performance, even after 90 minutes they would have left the place as the winners. Yesterday they were just unlucky.

DFB.de : You know some of the players quite well. Did you contact them? Have you talked with Manuel Neuer or sent him a text message?

Höwedes: Yes. But it’s for the best that they are left in peace for now though. The players of Bayern need a few days until they have digested it. Then, when they are here, we’ll be talking about the game, although I do not know exactly whether this will be useful.

DFB.de : Then come the Bavarians not totally unencumbered to the national team?

Höwedes: It would be unusual if this defeat would totally go past them without a trace. Two or three days you will note that is is still with them. But then there is no problem any more. The Bayern players on the National team will now have a new goal in mind: To be a part of the team that wants to become European champions. That will be their new focus,above everything.

DFB.de : You have suffered in your career heavy defeats, how have you handled it? How quickly did you manage to adjust to a new destination?

Höwedes: I also need a few days until I have digested major setbacks. I try to turn off as consistently as possible and to occupy myself with other things. With football, I am working then as little as possible. I can then travel a lot with friends, talk about other topics and create it so get your head back to being clear for new tasks.

DFB.de : And vice-versa? How hard is it to get back to concentrating on football, when you reach a big goal?

Höwedes: This is sometimes even more difficult. If you are successful, there is always the risk that you will be satisfied. It is challenging to keep up even after great success and the motivation to confirm the success or be beaten.

DFB.de : Your first season as captain of Schalke 04 is just over. It was a season with many ups and downs, you were frequently injured. Was this season harder for the head or body?

Höwedes: For the body. With the cheekbone fracture, the Muscle issue, the outer ligament torn and the viral disease, I have had incredibly bad luck with injuries. I’m not used to it, because I’ve never been a player susceptible to this. This year it all came together, that’s enough now. I have missed many games and I don’t like that.

DFB.de : And yet the season was a vision for Schalke, with it ending successfully.

Höwedes: Yes. We will play in the Champions League in the coming season, which we had all hoped for. There were a few who have not credited.

DFB.de : It was your first season with the captain’s armband around your arm. As you fill this role?

Höwedes: For me it was not easy. I would have gladly taken over as captain for every game on the field in terms of having responsibility. But it is not just that as I then have to be as good as it gets, in order to be a good outside influence on the team. Especially with the young players I’ve talked a lot and gave them one or other advice. The captaincy is a new position for me, I have had to grow into that role slowly. I don’t claim to do everything at once and perfectly correct. We grow into the Captain’s role, with experience.

DFB.de : Were there situations where you have cut in between times?

Höwedes: Very rarely, but it’s happened. For example, the first leg in Mainz, at half time we were 0:2 down and I said a few things in the break. In the 2nd half, we played much better and ended up winning the game 4-2. Other situations I can not remember.

DFB.de : How hard was it for you to say goodbye to the players leaving the club? Raul and Mathias Schober, for example?

Höwedes: Of course it was a shame for us all. Raul is an international star, he has scored a lot for us and some of which were very important goals and adding his whole nature of the association. And Mathias was an incredible team player, so a bit of “dad” of the entire team was. Ultimately it’s the business. Players come to the club, players leave the club. Other players will grow in similar roles, this cycle is a fact of football.

DFB.de : On Facebook you wrote that you enjoy the preparation for your first big tournament. Was the U21 European Championships in Sweden, you have won with the German team in 2009, not a big tournament?

Höwedes: Yes, of course, was a great moment for us, a great success and a big tournament. That was in my career, together with the gain of the DFB Cup last year, my most important title. But the men’s national team is once again a different caliber. The attention is greater, everyone is looking at this tournament.

DFB.de : You describe just such conditions. What about the personal feelings? But if it really is not always the same? From the Youth up to the pros, you want to go out and win a football game.

Höwedes: The tingling and excitement once again have different dimensions. It is true that on any football field and across the ages it is only about winning a football game. As a player you can not make it clear that there is more at stake, with the higher you climb. We played with a very strong national team in the European Championship qualifiers, we are among the favorites, we have pressure. One senses that, and that it is also what distinguishes the EM with the A-team of the U21.

DFB.de : How do you like now to prepare. In Sardinia, the sun was shining, in France it is cloudy right now.

Höwedes: I think it’s not at all problematic that it is a little rainy. It is good that here we have good, wet grass. The general conditions here are excellent, as they were in Sardinia. There we had the beach right outside the door, but again we lack nothing. The hotel is magnificent, the view is remarkable. I find the change great. We can work very well.

DFB.de : You are still a young player but have been the role of an even younger when you are getting help. What do you make of how well Schalke team-mate Julian Draxler in the national team?

Höwedes: He has settled in very quickly. He’s made good athletic actions in training. The processes are normal for him, I still sometimes must resort to arms. I have also used the time when I made my first caps. He’s mastered everything remarkably

DFB.de : He only need to learn table tennis.

Höwedes: That is correct. But he has improved extremely. We played in Sardinia on a table in a miniature format, because he did not stand a chance. Here in the hotel is a normal table, and for me it is much narrower. He’s almost at eye level now.

(Source - google translated)

Benedikt Höwedes: A big step for the team  

After the 4-0 win over Hertha BSC FC Schalke 04, the direct qualification for the Champions League is not to take more. On schalke04.de Captain Benedikt Höwedes talks about reaching the pinnacle, the departures after the season and the contract extension from Jefferson Farfan.  

Benedikt Höwedes, which outweighs the joy of reaching the Champions League place or the melancholy fact that some players leave the club?

Course outweighs the joy that we have qualified directly for the Champions League. I think it was a big step for the whole team and also for the club. Nevertheless, of course, is quite sad, because we leave important players and great characters. It is of course a bit sad, but the way it is in football. It will back up new players who will eventually take probably similar position.  

Some players go, Jefferson Farfan, however, remains. How important is his contract extension?

That was of course very important for the club and I am very pleased. I think if you look at the place and see what it fetches for services, then it is an absolute gain for us. It’s just great that he stays with us. We are all delighted.  

If the success celebrated a little?

I’m still seriously out of. We will certainly do something with the team and celebrate a little.

(Source - google translated)

Benedikt Höwedes was disappointed, but also aggressive, after the final whistle in the DL arena.

“Augsburg has earned a point with their appearance. The FCA has fought passionately” said the 24-year-old.

“We have unfortunately not always succeeded, however, kept playing. We should be in the end satisfied with the point that, unfortunately does not bring us the best result” says Höwedes.

“We still want to defend the third place. We need to play differently over the next two games”

The miners are currently two points ahead of Borussia Moenchengladbach. After Höwedes’ flavor it should have been actually four points after the game at Augsburg.

“We had it set so that the FCA could play powerfully forward and aggressively” said the defender.

Annoying it was that before the royal blue 0-1’m not awake enough acting.

“After that Augsburg has pulled back a bit. That has made it harder for us” says Höwedes.

“Fortunately, the Hunter gave us the 1-1 draw before the break”

(Source - google translated)

On schalke04.de captain Benedikt Höwedes talks about his fitness level, the explosive nature of the duel and significance of a possible victory against the territorial neighbors. 

Benedikt Höwedes are you completely fit and ready for use? 

I have a day of the game in Nürnberg as I had caught a gastro-intestinal infection. It has only lasted for one day. I have already completed a light training run. I feel as far as his strength in order to be there tomorrow. Whether I’m in the squad, the coach ultimately decides. 

The 140th Derby is coming up. It already begins to slow to tingle? 

Of course we are looking forward to this game. It is one of the special games during the season. Mainly because it goes to both teams for a great deal. As such it will be a very interesting game. 

Does it maybe a special appeal, because the title was one on the way to the title can still make a leg? 

That I do not care. We’re not about to mess up the championship of Dortmund. We focus only on keeping the third place. We need to BVB incredibly important points. Each of us wants to play next year in the Champions League. 

Some players are always a little hotter than other derbies. There are one or the other candidate that certainly can sometimes be loud. Have you already been set for certain provocations on the pitch? 

This interests me not at all actually. Of course, coming up in a game like emotions. I think something like this one but in football and especially in a derby. Of course, the whole is always in a certain context, and be not too large swirl aggressiveness. I’m just on the fight and hope that we will leave with a win.

(Source - Google translated)

After his hamstring inury, Benedikt Höwedes has re-entered team training. On schalke04.de, the defender talks about his injury, the next Bundesliga match against Hannover and Schalke’s chances, in the quarter-final second leg match of the Europa League.

Q. Benedikt Höwedes what do you make of the injury?

A. So far whilst I have been training today I have had no problems, I am very happy.

For the game in Bilbao, it is unfortunately too soon but I hope that for Hannover, I am back on the pitch.

Q. An attack on Hanover would also be very important to fail because with Joel Matip and Jermaine Jones, two defensive players because of a yellow card suspension …

A. Conditionally, I’m back on a very basic level. I hope it’s enough for Sunday, it all depends on how the muscle responds. I must now quickly get a feel for the ball.

Q. Against the Lower Saxony, there will be a reunion with Christian Pander. How do you think is the former Schalke player will be received by the fans, in the Veltins-Arena?

A. I think it is celebrated, and the absolutely right. Christian is a totally likeable and nice guy. I think I know a few players who have such a good left foot as he did. I personally look forward to it and think it’s the fans will feel the same.

Q. What do you expect from the game against Hannover?

A. It will be a very tight game. Hannover has a very high level of quality in their offensive, we are warned in any case. But first for the boys is at the game against Bilbao. Then we can focus on Hannover.

Q. Against Bilbao, you can not participate yet. What do you think the team in Spain yet?

A. It will be really difficult because we have had a bad result in the 1st leg. But I am an optimist and I have not written it off. We have often shown that we can score goals when we are behind. It’s not impossible for us to come back from this.

If we get an early goal, we can bring the excitement and perhaps create the seemingly impossible.

(Source - Google translated)

Schalke’s Benedikt Höwedes: “memories of the beginnings”

The countdown is on. On Thursday begins the Amateur Football Conference of the DFB, in Kassel. Around 300 participants are expected to attend the three-day event at the hotel “La Strada”. DFB.de joins with daily contributions to the Congress. Today: the DFB.de interview with Benedikt Höwedes, who learned to play football at TuS Haltern, in the Ruhr.

Talent. Such a topic is on the homepage of the TuS Haltern. Talent. This designation has earned the club, from the city of 38,000 inhabitants in the northern Ruhr with Christoph Metzelder and Benedikt Höwedes. TuS produced two national players, and the Hanoverian Bundesliga player; Sergio Pinto, who came from Haltern’s youth.

1090 members, the multi-divisional organization, which offers among other things, surfing and gymnastics. More than half (578) come from the Department of football, with 14 youth teams. The Schalker’s; Höwedes and Metzelder support their club today. For six years Höwedes wore the Halterner jersey before he went, at the age of twelve years, to SG Herten Langenbochum and then landed at FC Schalke 04. Benedikt’s father; Wilfried, is still there. He trains the first team of TuS, in the national league.

In a DFB.de interview, editor Jochen Breideband travels back in time with national player; Benedikt Höwedes, who is a2009 European Champion with the German U-21 team and allows Benedikt to explains the base of his professional career, in Haltern.

DFB.de: Mr. Höwedes, what memories do you associate with your time at TuS Haltern?

Benedikt Höwedes: Very positive. At that time, I came by my father and my brother to TuS. I feel a great affinity to continue the association. I learnt many values ​​and lessons there.

DFB.de: Like what?

Höwedes: The passion for football. The togetherness, the sense of unity, the team thoughts. I experienced it on a daily basis.

DFB.de: What were the conditions in your home club?

Höwedes: Unlike today. At the time we played on clay. In good weather you could maybe play on the lawn. My mother was always enthusiastic about the clothes getting dirty. (laughs)

DFB.de: Apart from your father, what connection do you have to the club?

Höwedes: I have some friends in the first team and I try every now and again to watch a game. This season, I have been able to do so unfortunately, due to time constraints. But it’s been fun to go back to an amateur space when you can shout, cheer and scold. You get that a lot closer and more direct.

DFB.de: How was your football education?

Höwedes: I think today the conditions are better. The coach education was still not as pronounced, as is the case now. But of course, is a cornerstone of TuS, where my career were laid. I was also fortunate in the district and Westphalia that there were choices. And I was lucky enough to have inherited a portion of talent from my parents.

DFB.de: Can you compare the conditions at TuS then and now?

Höwedes: The club has two grass pitches and one artificial turf. Before it was a lawn, a clay court and a field. Christoph Metzelder has worked tirelessly for the club and helped a lot, in order to bring it up to scratch.

DFB.de: To produce a national team player is something special for an amateur club. Two are exceptional. What is Haltern’s secret?

Höwedes: The funny thing is that the homes of Christopher and me, 150, 200 linear feet apart.Sergio Pinto comes from Hannover 96 also supports. Why this is, I can not explain. We seem to have a particularly good air.

DFB.de: How important is the amateur football in your opinion?

Höwedes: It is not comparable, of course, with the league. But the youth and amateur football have a good basis to be able to play later in the pros in the spotlight. There are so many players, so many clubs, so many leagues in the youth and amateur classes. This shows that there is great interest in football. For me personally I found the time at TuS is very important. I think it is good if you have the opportunity to find a small club, at a young age to orient yourself. In addition to all sporting ambition is first and foremost important that you play football because you’re having fun - and not because you have that you can still remain a child. Everything else comes soon enough. Not to be misunderstood: Of course, the training with the big clubs okay.

(Source - google translated)

Captain Benedikt Höwedes wasn’t satisfied with the 1-1 result, after the Europa League game on Thursday (16.2.)

In an interview with the 23-year-old, schalke04.de talks about the game in Pilsen, the result and the starting position before the second leg. 

Q. Benedikt Höwedes, with the 1-1 result, has your team got a good position for the return match against the Czech champions? How satisfied are you with the results? 

A. Definitely not. I am dissatisfied. In the first half was not all around, but we have kept it. Against a good opponent, we have never been infected, unfortunately, not always single-minded enough. 

Q. Why do you think you did not get the away victory? 

A. Perhaps we have lacked confidence after the match in Moenchengladbach . Ultimately, the 1-1 is also a good result. One must also appreciate the performance of Victoria Plzen. They have played well. 

Q. What do you expect from the leg in the Veltins-Arena? 

A. Very much. We play for our fans, this gives me a good feeling. Pilsen is not quite as offensive act. It is a difficult and tough game, but with the support from the stands, we have very, very good chance.

(Source - google translate)

Captain Benedikt Höwedes is looking forward to the two sporting comparisons with the Czech champions Viktoria Plzen. 

Schalke04.de talks with the German national team player about the enemy and his goals in the Champions League. 

Benedikt Höwedes, the ball is rolling again on the European arena. How great is the anticipation for the knockout stages? 

The two games against Viktoria Plzen are not simple, but a challenging task. I am looking forward to it, very much. 

What do you know about your opponent? 

We have of course tracked them and therefore know that Pilsen has made ​​it through a very difficult group with Barcelona and AC Milan. They are good figures. Therefore, we are warned. But even confident enough to say that we definitely want to go through to the next round. 

What do you expect for a game? I

I think our team will definitely show a reaction after the game against Mönchengladbach. We want to present experience. 

In the last season Schalke in the Champions League advanced to the semifinals. How far can royal blue go in the Europe League competion? 

I believe that both competitions can not be directly compared. But the fact is that we have very good chances to stay long in the competition. For this purpose we need to get our power.

(Source - Google translated)

Höwedes showed character after the final whistle. Instead of putting his headphones on disappearing onto the team bus, he turned to face questions of the media representatives.

Höwedes is a long time pro in front of the cameras and often acts as if he had just completed a course in high school of diplomacy with flying colors. But this time the defender did not even try or want to make a speech about the events in the Borussia Park.

 “It was underground. We have implemented the tactical requirements of the trainer at any time. The result was the three goals conceded” said Höwedes. 

“Gladbach was good, but also because we have allowed them to be” A trend that had already hinted at in the games in Cologne and Mainz against.

 “I was hoping that we have learned from the previous two games, but it was not so,” admitted Höwedes. 

“The first half was a Schalke team that was not worthy. It must now be clear words are found. My task now is to ensure that we get our heads back up” 

In the cabin Höwedes wants to find the right balance between constructive criticism and positive reinforcement.

“We should draw on that black day now, not everything is black and does not fix everything in this game. So far we have not played a good role” said the national team. 

“There is nothing wrong with that on Thursday we already have a game. With a good performance in international competition, we can get self-confidence for the Bundesliga”

Höwedes has courage.

(Source - google translated)