The "Red Couch" is a regular column in the official programme KONTER
SG Flensburg-Handewitt players show readers of every issue their haunts in and around Flensburg und chat with Zita Newerla. The handball stars reveal interesting details: what affects or bothers them, how they motivate themselves, what makes them laugh or cry.
Patrik Fahlgren
Have you already found your favourite place in Flensburg?
Patrik Fahlgren: It´s hard to say. I´m rarely in the city center, only when we have dinner at "Kritz" or "Macedonia". Most of the time, I´m somewhere around the place where I live, it´s like little Scandinavia there, even though some of the guys are not from Scandinavia at all. But it´s okay that the couch is at Campushalle.
After you came to Flensburg you went out a lot with Tobias Karlsson and Johan Sjöstrand. Tobias went ahead, you followed...
Patrik Fahlgren: Yes, I know. (laughs) But that was only because Tobias had a car, unlike us. And he helped us a lot. He´s somebody who likes to help. You really have to do a lot of things when you move to another country.
What do you miss about Sweden?
Patrik Fahlgren: Not so much to be honest. The weather here is the same and a lot of things remind me of my home. What I do miss, though, are my friends and some special things, "Julemost" for example.
What is „Julemost“?
Patrik Fahlgren: It´s a drink for the holiday season, for both children and grown-ups. It´s something like a herbal juice without alcohol. But I bought a few bottles when I was home the last time, so I don´t miss anything at the moment (laughs).
Is it true that you have a German grandmother?
Patrik Fahlgren: Yes, she came to Sweden a long time ago. I also have some relatives in the region around Flensburg.
When did you meet them the last time?
Patrik Fahlgren: When I was a child. I would like to meet them, but I would like to learn some more German first.
You´re already studying!
Patrik Fahlgren: We have German classes twice a week, players and wifes and girlfriends. I´m in the beginner´s class, Tobias and Oscar are already in the advanced class.
Foto: Benjamin Nolte
Does your girlfriend also take German lessons?
Patrik Fahlgren: She´s playing handball in Viborg in Denmark and doesn´t live in Germany. Maybe later.
Viborg is the most successful women´s team in Denmark. To play there, you must be pretty good...
Patrik Fahlgren: Yes, Johanna is really good. Last year, she was voted best Swedish player.
Viborg is more than 200 kilometers from Flensburg. How often do you see each other?
Patrik Fahlgren: Not very often. But it always works somehow. Sometimes we have a day off or she has some time, then one of us gets into the car.
Preview:
SG manager Holger Kaiser talks about the first months with his new team.
Couch-archive:
Go to: Archiv.
