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Andreas Hanche-Olsen has now been at the club for a week following his move last Thursday. The Norwegian centre-back signed a long-term contract with Mainz, moving from KAA Gent in Belgium. The club had already been interested in the defender during the summer, eventually getting the move done in the winter transfer window. “I’ve been given a warm welcome by everyone. Mainz 05 seems to be a very friendly club and I’m happy about my first few days here,” stated Hanche-Olsen.
The challenge of the Bundesliga
Hanche-Olsen already knew about Mainz 05, having followed the Bundesliga back home in Norway, not just because of Erling Haaland. He described the Zerofivers as a “consistent Bundesliga club,” and is pleased to now have made the move to Germany’s top league. “It’s pretty obvious that the Bundesliga is a step up for me,” he said. “Especially in comparison to the Norwegian league,” he added. The man born in Bærum played for Stabæk Fotball until 2020 before his move to Gent. He feels that the Belgian league has a number of talented individuals, but the Bundesliga is better with regard to tactics and intensity.
It’s pretty obvious that the Bundesliga is a step up for me.
“I have spoken to a number of players about Germany,” revealed Hanche-Olsen. One of his friends, Julian Ryerson, signed for Borussia Dortmund this week after four and a half years at Union Berlin. “We’re in the same age group. We played together for Norway U21s and now for the senior team too. He said that the Bundesliga would be a good league for me,” reported the 26-year-old. He could come up against his friend in his first home game for Mainz. Dortmund visit the MEWA Arena on Wednesday, 25th January (18:30 CET). The defender doesn’t have a set plan for the rest of his career, he just wants to try to be as good as possible: “This move to Mainz is a big one. I’ve got a lot to prove at this level and I want to show that I’m ready for the Bundesliga.”
Intense training sessions
Hanche-Olsen has been impressed and even surprised by the intensity in training during his first week. “The sessions are very organised and methodical. The lads give their absolute best in training. That’s something I’m not used to from Belgium,” he explained. The former Gent man is finally back in full team training after suffering a shoulder injury back in October. He’s been given the all-clear by the doctors in Mainz after completing various strength tests. “It’s important that I can fully trust my shoulder again and fully commit to tackles. It feels good,” said the man who describes himself as a fighter.
“My main job is to defend and I don’t like conceding goals, that’s what I stand for. I also like playing good football too though,” commented the centre-back, who can play in any position across a back-three. “I’ve played on the right of a back-three mainly over the years, but mainly as the left centre-back when it’s been a back-four,” said the versatile defender, who isn’t the quickest, but also not the slowest. “I’m somewhere in between. Slide tackles are a part of my game. Everyone gives 100% here in training and I have to as well.”
100% on the pitch, golf in his free time
The Norwegian describes himself as a “calm guy” away from the pitch. He is currently searching for a flat together with his girlfriend and is hoping to soon be settled in to a new home: “That would make things a lot better.” He wants to show his family his new home as soon as he can so they can see what it’s like here. Away from football on his days off, Hanche-Olsen likes playing golf and will certainly be able to around this area. “This city is a perfect fit for me,” praised the new signing.
A good place to be
“I’m mostly impressed by the fact that the club has a clear identity and knows how they want to play and what they want to be known for. It’s not the biggest club in Germany and that means that some things have to be done differently. The intense and hard training sessions, which try to close the financial gap between the top teams, are really impressive. All this sounded really interesting to me before joining.”
Another positive during his first few days has been the “good conversations” with head coach Bo Svensson. “He explained to me how things work around here and I was able to get a good impression of the family-like feeling here,” explained Hanche-Olsen. “Mainz 05 is obviously a big club, but also one where you can get on well with everyone. I think that’s important!”
Mainz 05 is obviously a big club, but also one where you can get on well with everyone. I think that’s important.
Communication between players is definitely easier at slightly smaller clubs, according to the centre-half. “I noticed during the first few days of training that that’s also important to the team. Your footballing abilities and your character are both valued here,” praised Hanche-Olsen.
The Zerofivers were looking at signing the defender last season, and Hanche-Olsen spoke to Svensson on the phone which impressed him. “I immediately thought I want to make the move when I heard the club were interested again in the winter.” Things went really quickly and the defender arrived for his medical last Thursday, signed his contract and then trained with his new team for the first time on Friday.
Important first game
His first game for the club followed just a day later. He played a little over 30 minutes in the friendly match against TSG Hoffenheim that ended 2-2. “It was okay,” said Svensson on Hanche-Olsen’s debut. “It was important to get minutes on the pitch and integrate into the team more,” added the coach. The match against Hoffenheim was also vital for the new signing as it was his first appearance since his shoulder injury.
Hanche-Olsen finished off by saying: “I’m ready to play, but I’m also in a totally new place with new teammates. I’ll take a bit of time to get used to it all.” His aim is to play his part in a successful second half of the season. “Very few points separate us from the teams above and below us. We’ve got the quality in the squad to get a lot out of this season.”
Andreas Hanche-Olsen has now been at the club for a week following his move last Thursday. The Norwegian centre-back signed a long-term contract with Mainz, moving from KAA Gent in Belgium. The club had already been interested in the defender during the summer, eventually getting the move done in the winter transfer window. “I’ve been given a warm welcome by everyone. Mainz 05 seems to be a very friendly club and I’m happy about my first few days here,” stated Hanche-Olsen.
The challenge of the Bundesliga
Hanche-Olsen already knew about Mainz 05, having followed the Bundesliga back home in Norway, not just because of Erling Haaland. He described the Zerofivers as a “consistent Bundesliga club,” and is pleased to now have made the move to Germany’s top league. “It’s pretty obvious that the Bundesliga is a step up for me,” he said. “Especially in comparison to the Norwegian league,” he added. The man born in Bærum played for Stabæk Fotball until 2020 before his move to Gent. He feels that the Belgian league has a number of talented individuals, but the Bundesliga is better with regard to tactics and intensity.
It’s pretty obvious that the Bundesliga is a step up for me.
“I have spoken to a number of players about Germany,” revealed Hanche-Olsen. One of his friends, Julian Ryerson, signed for Borussia Dortmund this week after four and a half years at Union Berlin. “We’re in the same age group. We played together for Norway U21s and now for the senior team too. He said that the Bundesliga would be a good league for me,” reported the 26-year-old. He could come up against his friend in his first home game for Mainz. Dortmund visit the MEWA Arena on Wednesday, 25th January (18:30 CET). The defender doesn’t have a set plan for the rest of his career, he just wants to try to be as good as possible: “This move to Mainz is a big one. I’ve got a lot to prove at this level and I want to show that I’m ready for the Bundesliga.”
Intense training sessions
Hanche-Olsen has been impressed and even surprised by the intensity in training during his first week. “The sessions are very organised and methodical. The lads give their absolute best in training. That’s something I’m not used to from Belgium,” he explained. The former Gent man is finally back in full team training after suffering a shoulder injury back in October. He’s been given the all-clear by the doctors in Mainz after completing various strength tests. “It’s important that I can fully trust my shoulder again and fully commit to tackles. It feels good,” said the man who describes himself as a fighter.
“My main job is to defend and I don’t like conceding goals, that’s what I stand for. I also like playing good football too though,” commented the centre-back, who can play in any position across a back-three. “I’ve played on the right of a back-three mainly over the years, but mainly as the left centre-back when it’s been a back-four,” said the versatile defender, who isn’t the quickest, but also not the slowest. “I’m somewhere in between. Slide tackles are a part of my game. Everyone gives 100% here in training and I have to as well.”
100% on the pitch, golf in his free time
The Norwegian describes himself as a “calm guy” away from the pitch. He is currently searching for a flat together with his girlfriend and is hoping to soon be settled in to a new home: “That would make things a lot better.” He wants to show his family his new home as soon as he can so they can see what it’s like here. Away from football on his days off, Hanche-Olsen likes playing golf and will certainly be able to around this area. “This city is a perfect fit for me,” praised the new signing.
A good place to be
“I’m mostly impressed by the fact that the club has a clear identity and knows how they want to play and what they want to be known for. It’s not the biggest club in Germany and that means that some things have to be done differently. The intense and hard training sessions, which try to close the financial gap between the top teams, are really impressive. All this sounded really interesting to me before joining.”
Another positive during his first few days has been the “good conversations” with head coach Bo Svensson. “He explained to me how things work around here and I was able to get a good impression of the family-like feeling here,” explained Hanche-Olsen. “Mainz 05 is obviously a big club, but also one where you can get on well with everyone. I think that’s important!”
Mainz 05 is obviously a big club, but also one where you can get on well with everyone. I think that’s important.
Communication between players is definitely easier at slightly smaller clubs, according to the centre-half. “I noticed during the first few days of training that that’s also important to the team. Your footballing abilities and your character are both valued here,” praised Hanche-Olsen.
The Zerofivers were looking at signing the defender last season, and Hanche-Olsen spoke to Svensson on the phone which impressed him. “I immediately thought I want to make the move when I heard the club were interested again in the winter.” Things went really quickly and the defender arrived for his medical last Thursday, signed his contract and then trained with his new team for the first time on Friday.
Important first game
His first game for the club followed just a day later. He played a little over 30 minutes in the friendly match against TSG Hoffenheim that ended 2-2. “It was okay,” said Svensson on Hanche-Olsen’s debut. “It was important to get minutes on the pitch and integrate into the team more,” added the coach. The match against Hoffenheim was also vital for the new signing as it was his first appearance since his shoulder injury.
Hanche-Olsen finished off by saying: “I’m ready to play, but I’m also in a totally new place with new teammates. I’ll take a bit of time to get used to it all.” His aim is to play his part in a successful second half of the season. “Very few points separate us from the teams above and below us. We’ve got the quality in the squad to get a lot out of this season.”
