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Q&A - Tamas Kasas - Part 1.

The official site of the National Team has started a new series. Water-polo fans are given the chance to ask the team-members. The first one to answer was TAMAS KASAS. „Are there any official efforts (FINA, LEN) to use varied technical equipments (e.g. video judge, underwater cameras) for more fair play games, and the brutal malpractices will be punished with forbidding the player from games?”  Tamas Kasas: Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about that, but it’s a rightful question. „For ex-players, or those who know the game, it seems like that many national team players is in lack of motivation, and misses the great enthusiasms. Opponents’ highlight aggressive and tough “attention” is quite disturbing.What do you think would be necessary for you to „high-fly” in a big game?”  Tamas Kasas: I don’t think so that I gave this impression on all final games, but of course I expect more from myself. But this also goes with my habit: if the game goes on okay, I still have the stone-face. I hope I’ll be okay physically and avoid all small injuries. Motivation was never a problem, and I’m not afraid it’ll be especially before the Olympics. The opponent’s highlight aggressive, and tough attention towards me haven’t changed in the last 10 years. When we won, they tighten us in defense, just like now. If I’m okay physically, it doesn’t disturb me.  “What are your future plans? Is it possible you stay in the National Team? Do you plan to play in Hungarian League or you stay in Italy?”  Tamas Kasas: If I should decide it right now, I’d say I quit from the National Team after the Olympics. But… you never know. No matter what I want to play in Hungary, maybe perhaps from next year. I’ve been playing in Italy for 10 years and now I feel more stronger that it’s enough.  “Who would you name in the National Team that are not scorer-machines, therefore they receive less public attention, but play major role in the success (e.g. goal-pass, defense, personality)?”  Tamas Kasas: In a team all the players are important, and you can’t manage anything without one another. I wouldn’t name anyone. I don’t feel like that my task is to score many goals. Goal-passes or grabbing balls are the same joy for me. Of course there are players who are not that well-marked for lay spectators, but they are elementally important in the success of the team.  “What would you suggest for an 14-year-old kid who plays water-polo, but wants to play it more seriously? Shall I stay with a country-side and weaker team for now, or move to Budapest, where I can play well and excel?How do you warm-up and prepare for a tougher game?"  Tamas Kasas: You need a good amount of passion for water-polo and plenty of persistence. If you are talented, then you shouldn’t get contented with what you know. You have to improve and learn. I don’t think so it’s a “country-side vs. capital town” question: if you play well and receive a great opportunity from a team in Budapest, then try yourself. The important thing is: not be contented with your current knowledge. I do the same warm-up before every game. But everybody feels how many warm-up needed before each games. Before important games I’m always nervous, just like everybody else – even if you can’t see it on me. I really do not do any thinking before the game: in the pool you should make a good decision in a given second… therefore it’s difficult to be prepared for that. The important thing is to be well-balanced and full of confidence.  “Don’t you think that the Olympic Champ team of Athens was stronger than the current team?   Tamas Kasas: Results show that the last Olympic Champion team was stronger. It’s really up to us to be more stronger for Beijing.  “Based on the latest world events it seems that team is physically “slimmer” than the rivals (Serbia, Croatia). How can that be compensated? Or they are really better in everything?”  Tamas Kasas: The Serbians are very strong. Their feet tempo is excellent. Plus their good water-polo players with great rising generation that they’ve been working on for many years. We should take the glow, and get into the competition. And we have a good chance for that. But it would be silly just to focus on the Serbs.  “You said you read a lot. What kind of books do you read?”  Tamas Kasas: Back then I read all the books of Ken Follet and Paulo Coelho. I also read one-two smart thoughts from Osho. I have several books about stories of Buddha. I like philosophic books about people’s life and emotions. There’s also an Italian writer, Fabio Volo… I’ve read three of his books.    “If you had 2 wishes, what would there be?”  Tamas Kasas: Health for my loved ones and for me. And more success in sport.  “Where comes your 5 cap number?”  Tamas Kasas: I got this number under the coaching of Gyorgy Horkai… and it sticked to me. I really like that number.  “Can you imagine your life in Hungary after you finished your sports career? What attracts you in living abroad? Have you learnt any new life perspective from the Italians?”  Tamas Kasas: Yes, I imagine my life after water polo in Hungary, but I’m not sure what I’m going to do exactly. All I experienced is the difference between North and South. I lived 6 years in Naples, where people are open-minded, sleazy and cheerful. They don’t take anything seriously. North is totally the opposite of that.  “What professional advantages do you receive from the Italian League? What’s the difference between playing there and playing in Hungary? Any differences in culture and attitude among the players?”  Tamas Kasas: Honestly? I have a thicker wallet. And I play in a stronger League. I miss many things from Hungary. Water polo is a lot more popular in Hungary, therefore there’s a bigger hype around it. Here in Italy, it’s calm. There isn’t any clicks among players. We should the trainings here, in Italian-way and this is what we have to focus on. But of course… before an Olympics, all sportsmen prepare for it in whole year.  “What do you need to you can play Hungary again?”  Tamas Kasas: Extreme homesickness, personal/private reasons, appropriate conditions.  “If you guys win in Beijing, will you go for one more Olympics?” Tamas Kasas: I can’t answer to that right now…:)… But I don’t think so.  “Are you OLD PLAYERS able to really want an Olympic Gold like when you didn’t have any? What makes you think you’ll be in the best shape of your life in Beijing?”  Tamas Kasas: It’s impossible to get back the same hunger for Olympic gold like we had back then. But something similar to that is absolutely reasonable. Especially as it would be a huge thing to have 3 Olympic Golds in a row. Our routine can be a big help in that. It would be an extra cheer for the young ones to win Olympics. It’s a different motivation, but it’s still strong. That’s why I prepare to be in my best shape ever.