FIRST TEAM
05/22/2012

Interview with Kevin Volland

Now that the Bundesliga season has ended, the vast majority of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim's playing staff have gone on their summer holidays and will be away until June 18th when pre-season training commences. Kevin Volland, however, has no such plans. He will be using the time to integrate himself into the Sinsheim area and find a place to live. The striker spent the last campaign on loan at 2. Bundesliga side TSV 1860 München, but has rejoined his parent club and will soon link up with Markus Babbel's first team squad. Achtzehn99.de caught up with him as he visited the Zuzenhausen training ground.

Kevin, preparation for the 2012/13 season begins in a little under four weeks time on June 18th. What has brought you to Sinsheim so early?

(laughing) I'm using the time to have a look around the place and fine somewhere to live. It's a really idyllic area. I come from a small town in the country and I can see myself fitting right in here. I'm not sure yet if I'll choose to live here in Sinsheim or move to Heidelberg.

How does your schedule look like before pre-season training begins on the 18th?

I will be here until Thursday and then I'm going on holiday, first to Italy and then Egypt. After that I'll have a few days to get ready for pre-season training.

Have you had a chance to speak to manager Markus Babbel yet?

Yes, we had a good chat. He basically made it clear to me that he hopes to build around me. But of course I still have to work hard and earn my place in the team. I think I'm good enough to play in the Bundesliga, despite my young age, and my aim is just to hit the ground running and give the best I can.

You spent a number of seasons at 1860 Munich. Did it please you in some tiny way when FC Bayern Munich lost the Champions League final last weekend?

No. I was in the stadium myself and could hardly believe what my eyes were seeing. It was unbelievably cruel on the players and the whole of Munich felt gripped by a sense of devastation. You can't feel any Schadenfreude in moments like that.

Germany coach Joachim Löw's squad contains a large number of Bayern players, who now have to prepare for the UEFA European Championships with that disappointment weighing on their minds. What do you think the national team can achieve in Poland and Ukraine?

I think they can definitely reach the final. The disappointment of the Chelsea match is still hugely acute, but the Euros are a much bigger prize and they will be focused for it.

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