FIRST TEAM
03/05/2012

Tom Starke answers your questions

“Fans ask, players answer“ is the club's new Facebook initiative to bring 1899 Hoffenheim's supporters in closer contact with the players. Goalkeeper Tom Starke took time out to get the project up and running.

Kai Reinwald asks: What was the best game of your career?

Tom: That's a tough question to answer. There have been a few, in front of some fantastic crowds. But I'd probably have to say my Bundesliga debut, playing for Hamburg against Hertha BSC Berlin. We won 2-0 and I had a really good game. It was just a really fun day, and the 55,000-strong crowd were amazing.

David Cisowski asks: Who do you think is the best player in the squad?

Apart from the goalkeeper who couldn't be better, there isn't really anyone that stands out! But joking aside, I couldn't really pick out one individual. That would be unfair to the rest of the squad. We have some fantastic players here. Hopefully the new manager can extract a little more out of them.

Hoffenheim die-hards Denis LasoÅ„czyk and Benja Heßke ask: How settled are you at 1899 and can you see yourself finishing your career there?

I feel very happy here, not just at the club but in the area as well. And my family are settled too, which is important. My wife is enjoying life, and our kids are growing up in a great environment. That makes things easier for me. I'm 30 years of age and still hope to play for a few more years yet, but I can definitely see myself staying here at Hoffenheim until the end of my career, possibly even taking up a coaching role at the club when I hang up my gloves.

Joe Li Gomez and Nico Gansera ask: Did you have any say in the design of the goalkeeping shirt, and what does the number 33 mean to you?

There were three different designs put forward, and then we were allowed to decide which one the three of us wanted to wear. You just have to make sure that there's a clear definition between your shirt and those of other teams, which means it can't be of the same colour. Number 33 doesn't really have a special meaning for me to be honest; number one was already taken when I arrived at the club. If a keeper's performance doesn't stand out in a game, then at least his number does (laughing).

Lukas Schleicher asks: Do you or the team have any rituals after games that you like to perform when the team has won?

We don't have any rituals. When we win, we go out for a drink together. It isn't a ritual, it's more of a habit. But we do have a ‘FIFA clique' in the squad, and we play a lot of competitions against each other. It produces a very good atmosphere at the club.

Vincent James Hauff asks: What was your nicest experience with a fan?

There was one that springs to mind. When I was at Duisburg, myself and a fan went to a restaurant together. He had won a ‘meet and greet' with me. It was a very funny and very interesting experience to see things from the point of view of a fan, and of course I shared a few stories too. It doesn't happen that often, but it was really nice evening.

Manuel Schumacher asks: How important are the fans in the Bitburger Südkurve (south stand)?

The fans in the Südkurve are immensely important. We've seen so many times how much they've helped us when things haven't gone that well. We are a very young team and some of the guys may be a little inexperienced still. So that makes it even more important that we get a good reception when we play. The more support we get from the stands, the more confidence it gives us as players. The support they give us is brilliant, and we're glad for it.

Dennis Askari asks: Which teammates do you spend the most time with?

Including when we train, I probably spend the most time with Daniel Haas. We usually meet an hour and a half before training and work in the gym together. When we're on the training ground, I spend a lot of time with our goalkeeping coach Zsolt Petry, and afterwards as well whenever we discuss games or training.

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