Sebastian Vollmer: “The DFB team can go all the way”

Round about 50,000 members have joined the fan club of the German national team powered by Coca-Cola. „But there are many more supporters keeping their fingers crossed for Germany, including quite a number of people who have attained VIP status in completely different walks of life. To mark the tenth anniversary of the national team fan club, the "Celebrity Fans" section has been created on DFB.de as a forum for them to talk about their passion for soccer.

While in Germany, soccer has gone into hibernation, in the U.S. the most exciting part of the season has been rung in - in American football, though. The playoffs in the NFL have begun, and there’s even a German involved: Sebastian Vollmer. The 28-year-old native of Düsseldorf plays for the New England Patriots on Sunday 13th January (starts 10:30 pm) against the Houston Texans. For him the season should not end before 3rd February when the Super Bowl XLVII in the New Orleans Superdome will take place. And ideally, holding the trophy aloft - unlike last season, when the Patriots had to resign themselves to second place after the 17:21-final defeat at the hands of the New York Giants.

After that, the American football star who is 2.03 meters tall and weighs in at 143 kilos (for those US readers out there, that’s 6 feet 8 inches, and 315 lbs) would have time again to indulge in some more soccer and perhaps even win a few additional US hearts and minds over for the game. Writing for fanclub.dfb.de, editor Niels Barnhofer has talked to the former soccer libero about the NFL playoffs, the German national team, as well as the Euros and the World Cup.

fanclub.dfb.de: Sebastian Vollmer, how’s the season going?

Sebastian Vollmer: So far, so good. I think we got us a good starting position. Let’s see what happens in the playoffs.

fanclub.dfb.de: After an impressive 42:14 win over the Houston Texans on matchday 14 the Patriots were billed as a Super Bowl contender, only to suffer a 34:41 defeat against the San Francisco 49ers immediately afterwards. Where does your team stand at the moment?

Vollmer: These results just show how balanced the league is. Therefore I do not believe that much in those kinds of forecasts. The situation can change quickly, and pundits’ opinions sometimes change from week to week. For us players, the only thing that counts is focussing on the next game. We always try to win. We will see the results at the end of the season.

fanclub.dfb.de: Which team do you think will win the Super Bowl this year?

Vollmer: All those who have made it into the playoffs are there for a reason. Last year, the New York Giants showed us just what alleged outsiders are capable of. They won the title even though no one expected them to. And it’s basically the same this year - everyone has a chance to win. It’s hard to predict who’ll carry off the trophy.

fanclub.dfb.de: How content are you with your personal performance so far this season?

Vollmer: I’ve missed only one game. You will always find something you can do better, but so far I am quite satisfied.

fanclub.dfb.de: As a German in the NFL, you must be a bit of a rare bird.’. How established would you say you are?

Vollmer: Everything is perfectly normal. I was never such a thing as an outsider, was never treated as such. I feel pretty comfortable here.

fanclub.dfb.de: How long have you been playing American football?

Vollmer: I started when I was 14 years old.

fanclub.dfb.de: And before that you played soccer?

Vollmer: Yes, exactly. And I did swimming. I played football because it was fun. At that time I did not care about titles and achievements. That did not count for me at the time. I played libero or sweeper, the position still existed at this time.

fanclub.dfb.de: Why did you stop playing soccer?

Vollmer: I tried to play football and keep up with my swimming at the same time, but it came to a point where I could not go on doing both. There was simply not enough time, so when I had to decide, I chose swimming.

fanclub.dfb.de: Is the German national team an issue for you?

Vollmer: Sure it is! Above all, when the major tournaments take place. World Cup or European Championship matches can be watched here as well. Everything beyond that is difficult to keep track of.

fanclub.dfb.de: You try to watch the games on TV?

Vollmer: Because of the time difference, games are broadcast in the mornings or early afternoons U.S. time, which doesn’t really work for me because then I’m at training myself. But if there’s any way to bring both into line, then I love watching the German team play.

fanclub.dfb.de: How do you rate the team at the moment?

Vollmer: Well, I’m a bit too far removed to pass any informed judgment. I am no expert. But judging from the reviews, the team definitely has great potential for the future.

fanclub.dfb.de: As a German athlete living abroad, would you say that this increases your sense of identification with German teams?

Vollmer: Not necessarily. But when the opportunity arises, I also try to invite friends and raise a little interest in European soccer.

fanclub.dfb.de: What do you think the national team can achieve at the World Cup 2014 in Brazil?

Vollmer: I would be happy for the players and coaches, if the experts’ predictions came true and the team was able to play to its true potential. That, in the past, was one of the German national team’s key assets – peaking at big events at the right time. So basically I’d say: this team can go all the way!