BVB goalie Kobel on title frustration: ‘This day will accompany me for the rest of my life’

Blick: Gregor Kobel, what was going through your mind after the final whistle against Mainz?
Gregory Kobel: Of course there was total frustration, the big disappointment. We were so close to winning BVB’s first championship title in such a long time that we were in pole position. But in sports things don’t always go as desired or planned.

The whole of Dortmund had already planned the big championship party. Was there a frustrated beer instead of master champagne?
We didn’t do anything else that night and didn’t meet until the next day for the end of the season. Players were said goodbye and information about the preparation for the new season was already published. The end of the season did not last long. But there was certainly one or two frustrated beers in the evening after the game.

Were at least your loved ones there to comfort you?
My family and some friends came to Dortmund to celebrate with me. After the final whistle, everyone was extremely disappointed and sad. But no matter how difficult it may feel: such experiences are part of sport, success and failure are sometimes very close to each other.

Where have you processed the disappointment in recent days?
I was in the mountains for a few days to relax and clear my head. It was amazing. Still, of course, the mountains weren’t real enough to forget. This day will accompany us for a lifetime, I’m sure. Now it’s just how we as athletes deal with it. I try to grow out of it, learn from it and come back stronger.

Despite championship frustrations – personally you can be happy with your season. You delivered. You were voted into the team of the season by the “Kicker” and had the best point average of all Bundesliga players. Is that more than cold consolation?
At the end of the day, you’re playing for achievements and titles. That’s what counts in the end. You always do your best for team success. But of course it’s nice to see that the work is worth it and that you get such nice feedback.

You have been voted the best goalkeeper of the season by the players’ union. 51.8 percent voted for you.
I’m hearing that for the first time now.

Is it worth even more if teammates and opponents vote for you?
Kind, yes. Of course it’s great if you also receive such appreciation from your opponents. That’s great motivation.

After your performance, the rumor mill naturally bubbles up again. Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and a few more top clubs will be linked to you.
I don’t care about rumours. I’ve handled it this way before.

Were you really that callous five years ago?
Five years ago there were no rumors about me, I sat on the bench at Hoffenheim and had to see if I could get match training (laughs).

Number 1 at BVB, the best goalkeeper in the Bundesliga and number 2 in the national team How hard is that?
Of course it is difficult to be number 2 in the national team. I am a professional athlete, I am ambitious and ambitious. What kind of professional would I be if I didn’t always want to play? I give everything for that, in every training. I throw in everything I have. That’s my job as an athlete. I only focus on what I can influence: that is my personal performance, everything else is determined by the coaching team.

Apparently you play against Andorra and Yann Sommer is in goal against Romania.
You know more about that than I do.

How is your relationship with Sommer?
We have a good relationship. Yann is a very good guy. As competitors, we treat each other very fairly. I think that also helps to propel each other to peak performance.

It would be your fifth international match. Chances are that after the 2:1 against Greece, the 1:1 against Kosovo, the 0:4 against Portugal and the 3:2 against Serbia at the World Cup you will get your first clean sheet.
Is correct. It was about time. I am happy with every match I can play in goal for the national team. I like playing for Switzerland.

Secret training in Thalwil ZH: Yann Sommer was delighted with the slat cracker trick(00:51)