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While the other teams demanded everything from each other, the ZSC had a break for over a week. What do you do to ensure you don’t lose your play-off rhythm?
Sven Andrighetto: This is a challenge for all of us. But we also had this break before the quarter-final against Biel. We made good use of the training and found our way to the first match relatively well. That is also the goal now. We focused on ourselves, especially since we didn’t know who we would meet. Simulating games is of course difficult, but we try to keep the intensity high so that we are ready on Monday.
You feel like you especially like the intensity of the playoffs and feel comfortable when it really gets going. Although you are often among the hunted and treated harshly. Where does this masochism come from?
I just love the special emotions that come with playing in the playoffs. Everything is more intense and faster. I also love that feeling when everything is on the line. You have to win as a team and it doesn’t matter who scores the goal. I also like this balance that you have to find so that you don’t fly too high when you win and fall too low when you lose.
And doesn’t it bother you if you are repeatedly violently attacked?
The quarter-finals against Biel were very fair for both teams, but there were of course also series in which things were less pleasant. The question is whether respect for opponents is maintained or whether this line is crossed. You don’t want to give yourself anything, but you also don’t want to deliberately hurt someone and affect their normal life, because at the end of the day it’s still sport. For me, it motivates me even more when things get harder. Of course, it’s not much fun if you get bruises everywhere. But it’s part of it.
After years in the NHL and KHL, you came to the ZSC Lions in 2020 with the goal of winning the bucket. You already had a hand in it in 2022, before the final series against Zug was lost 3-4 after a 3-0 lead. So now’s the time, right?
In any case, it is high time. But we want to take it step by step. Like you said, I came to ZSC to become a champion. And that is still true, and even more so now. Because we have a very good team, we are broadly positioned, healthy and fit. Now we look forward to the semi-final series.
How long did it take you to get over the loss in the last series two years ago?
It’s still bitter when I think about it. If you are so close and have actually done a lot of things well and then lose four times in a row in the final, then that is of course not ideal. All the boys who were there then and are still there now need this experience even more as motivation. We experienced it together and remember exactly how it felt at the end. If you can use this as motivation for what comes next, then we are certainly very strong.
A lot is always expected in Zurich, only the title seems good enough. How do you learn to deal with these expectations?
If there are great expectations, that’s great too. We are here at ZSC, a very big club in Switzerland and Europe, which now has a beautiful stadium and is loudly supported by its fans. That’s cool and everyone is aware of it. The only thing we are missing is the league title and we are not nervous to talk about that. Because this is the goal we want to achieve.
You are one of the audience favorites at ZSC. It is noticeable that you are idolized, especially by many children. Do you recognize this and what does it mean to you?
I definitely notice that and really appreciate it. Because I can still remember very well that as a little boy I stood in the indoor stadium and looked up to the ZSC players. At that time I wanted to be someone like her, I also wanted to play on the ice in front of so many spectators. And now that I am in this situation and see the children who may also have this dream, it is very special to me. That’s why I think it’s important to give something back. Whether it’s with a puck, or by giving away a broken stick or being available for autographs. It’s small things that have a big impact. Because I know exactly what it meant to me when I was a little boy.
Do you also want to have children or does that not necessarily have to be the case?
I would really like that, but that is not the focus at the moment. For the time being, I am the proud idol of Dion, the son of teammate Christian Marti. I like that very much, I can spend a day with him every now and then and that brings me back to my childhood. It’s always fun and enjoyable.
You’ve had a difficult year due to a complicated wrist injury. But as the season went on, you got better and better. Are you the old Sven Andrighetto again?
It was a challenge to play in the last play-offs with a broken hand after missing a lot of games before. And this season I missed the first twelve games due to the subsequent operation. For a long time I couldn’t even hold a stick. So I missed the feeling for the shots that I normally train in the summer. I’m still trying to catch up, but things are going relatively well now. This season I will still be playing with a brace, we will see more in the summer, but then everything should turn out well.
2023 must have been a bad year for you because of the serious injury, and then your marriage ended. How do you survive this as a person who is used to the bright side?
Every person experiences highs and lows. For an athlete, health is the most important thing. It was my first serious injury and at first I was already devastated because I could no longer help the team. I was suddenly on my own, which was a bit lonely. But my friends, family and the entire ZSC organization have helped me enormously. They always made sure I was doing well. I really appreciate that at ZSC; it’s also about the people, not just the hockey player.
If you divorce your wife in your private life, will everything somehow collapse?
It certainly wasn’t easy in the beginning. But ultimately these are things you have to learn to deal with and also learn to act on them in some way. I am someone who always sees or wants to see the positive. But of course there were days when I didn’t feel so good. Fortunately, I could count on the support of those around me, which made it easier.
Your contract with ZSC expires next season. Will you stay or can other clubs also submit offers?
That is why I have a good agent in Daniel Giger from 4sports, who is also a good friend of mine. Two weeks before the play-offs we sat down briefly and I told him that I didn’t want to hear anything right now, that all my concentration was on the play-offs. I have no idea whether he has already had contact with ZSC sports director Sven Leuenberger. I would like to extend. I’m from Zurich, I love Zurich and I want to win the title with ZSC.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
