"It's the most important thing to act as a team".

On Saturday, HSV will be part of the 2. Bundesliga topspiel for the third time in the still young season. After victories in Nürnberg (2:0) and against Karlsruhe (1:0), this time fifth in the table Fortuna Düsseldorf are guests at the Volksparkstadion at primetime at 8.30 pm. The Rhinelanders have been coached by former HSV coach Daniel Thioune since February this year. Thioune's successor Tim Walter, who recently marked his 50th competitive match in Kiel, spoke at a press conference this Thursday afternoon about the eagerly awaited floodlit match and once again emphasised the importance of an intact team. The 46-year-old football coach also found illustrative lessons in this regard with regard to a sport that he himself enjoys playing and watching alongside football and which is currently making headlines nationwide.

In detail, Tim Walter spoke at the press conference about...

... the opponent Fortuna Düsseldorf: They have a very good offensive and accordingly have already collected their points. That was already the case in the pre-season and now they are confirming their performance. Fortuna is one of the teams that wants to play at the top. We are ready and well prepared. We always want to play against the best teams and we are looking forward to the match. 

"Anyone who knows Ferro a little better knows that the hype around him is getting a bit too much at the moment."

... Adjustments in the starting eleven: For me, the training during the week is what counts. It's important to me that every player does everything for his team. The most important thing is to act as a team and not to put your own ego above the big picture. If you do that during the week, you have a very good chance of playing at the weekend. 

... the role of Daniel Heuer Fernandes: Anyone who knows "Ferro" a little better knows that this hype around his person is currently getting a bit too much for him. He is someone who works very well in his team and knows that he also needs this team. He doesn't take himself more seriously than the whole thing. He is one of us. He shows us that in every training session and every game. He lives and loves this game. I am pleased that he is a modest, young person. That suits HSV and us. That's why it would do us good to bring it down a notch"

... the European Basketball Championships in Germany: There's always a lot of hype when a big tournament takes place in your own country and the boys play themselves into a frenzy, like our basketball players are doing at the moment. I think it's great how the boys are performing and taking the whole of Germany with them. You can always learn something from them - both in terms of individual tactics and team spirit. This is something that we at HSV have also adopted as our motto. We want to act as a team and in this way take our spectators with us.