IranSportsPress.com: Iran Sport Press carried out an interview with Amir Shapourzadeh who plays for the second team of Hamburg. Amir was born on 19-09-1982 and in spring 2003, he signed a two year contract with Hansa Rostock Amateur. At such a young age (23 today), he has already raised some new attention because he shot 3 goals in the last two matches he played for his Hansa II team and got prmotoed to sit down on the bench for Hansa's first team.Below you can read the full interview, which was carried out by ISP's Reza Ghazinouri on September 15 2002 in Hamburg. |
 ISP: Hi Amir. How are you?
Amir: I am doing fine. Thank you.
ISP: Please, tell our visitors a bit about yourself and explain how you managed to get a contract with Hamburg at such a young age to play in the Regional league.
Amir: Well, I finished my school recently. I am 20 years old and have been playing football since the age of 7. My previous team was Nielendorfer SV.
ISP: What are your achievements so far?
Amir: I won the Norddeutsche Pokalsieger tournament, which is played over the year with my previous team Regionalliga. During the B- young class years (which is for 16-17 yeear old players) I scored 34 goals in one season in the Leistungsklasse (skill class league). With the A æ¢eam I scored 32 goals in the special league. Finally, in the previous season I scored 13 goals in the strongest league Regionalliga, A1 class team. There, I started to raise media attention.
ISP: So, it seems like you play forward?
Amir: Yes, I am an attacker and my strength is scoring goals.
ISP: How long have you lived in Germany?
Amir: Well, I left Iran to Germany for my educational career. My parents still live in Iran, which I miss them very much. Unfortunately, I started to play soccer very much and so I am looking forward to start a professional soccer career.
ISP: What will happen if the German Olympic team gives you the opportunity to play for them?
Amir: When that opportunity comes, I have to think about it because I am working on a professional career. So, I don't know what to do when that happens. But I would also like to mention one aspect, which I am waiting eagerly to know. I have a couple of Turkish friends who had the opportunity to get invited by the Turkish Soccer Federation to show their skills during a soccer camp. All prospective soccer players with a Turkish citizenship in Europe have the opportunity to let their soccer federation know who they are and what they can do to prosper the Turkish national soccer team. As you saw, in the previous World Cup Turkey could get very far. Therefore, it would be great to see this happening in Iran too. I know another Regionalliga Nord player named Alexander Noori. He has played for SV Werder Bremen second team and is now playing for Bayer Uerdingen. It would be very nice if we could have the chance to get invited and just show our talent.
ISP: Well, ISP will try to forward your idea to the Iranian federation.
Amir: Thanks, please keep in mind that Iran has got good players. I had the opportunity to travel back to Iran three years ago and I was amazed about how young players were technically perfect with the ball and also how much love they have for soccer, which I didn't see in Germany. So, it would be great if we all could help each other to prosper Iranian soccer. I am really waiting to get a chance and get invited by the Iranian federation to play a match for the U20 or even the Olympic team.
ISP: If you get the opportunity to get invited to play for an Iranian club team, would you go and take the chance.
AS: Yes, I would, why not. Although, it really depends on the situation.
ISP: How many games have you played for HSV second team so far?
Amir: So far in the last 8 games, I have had the opportunity to play one game from the beginning to the end. I have already scored 2 goals and have had 2 assists. I am pretty confident with what I have reached because being new in the team takes time and patience to make the starting 11.
ISP: Have you met Mehdi Mahdavekia, yet?
Amir: Yes, I have. I met him when we had a game with Chemnitz. We also had to share a room together because he played with the second team to get close to his full fitness as he was injured for a long time. As he is one of my soccer heroes it was a pleasure to meet him. He is a very nice person and it was great fun to spend together.
ISP: Have you watched any games played by Iran recently?
Amir: Yes, I have. I watched the Iran vs. Iraq game recently and also many other games, especially those World Cup qualifiers. It was pretty sad that we could not qualify.
ISP: What do you see the differences between Iranian soccer and the German one?
Amir: I think Germans play pretty hard. The German players are not technically gifted, but Germans play physical football and work hard for the team. I think, compared to any other countries, Germany will always succeed in football as long as it keeps its good management skills in balance, too.
ISP: Which coach would you prefer to see for Iran?
Amir: As much as I know, I would think an experienced coach would be the best. I would count on coaches like Udo Lattek very much. He has got excellent experience that many other coaches do not have.
ISP: What is the best way to contact you?
Amir: Any requests about me should be sent directly to HSV Amateur department and also my coach Stefan Boeger. They will forward them to me.
ISP: We would like to thank you for giving us the chance to talk to you and we wish you the best in your future.
Amir: Thank you very much. I would also like to point out that it is nice to see that there are English sports site, which reports Iranian Sports in English. I have visited your site and it has impressed me very much.
ISP: Thank you! |
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