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Posted by
Steve Bottjer,
December 10, 2012 |
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Email Steve Bottjer
Twitter @BottjerRNO |
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With the Scandinavian league campaigns recently completed, Canadian keeper Tomer Chencinski has now had a few weeks to reflect upon his first season playing professionally in Sweden. Now back in Toronto for a short offseason, the 28 year old spoke with RedNation about the year that was for the up and coming shot stopper and admitted that the past year has been one of tremendous growth for him as a player.
See also: RedNation Interview Series - Tomer Chencinski
“On a personal level, I felt a lot more comfortable and I really grew into my own skin and showed what I can do as a goalkeeper. I felt good, especially in the latter part of the season, in terms of my performances and what I can give and how I can do well in a game and control a game and just do everything I can to help the team,” said Chencinski.
After a breakout season in 2011 while playing for Finnish side VPS, the 6 foot 3 keeper made the move to storied Swedish side Orebro SK for 2012. With it generally conceded that the Swedish Allsvenskan offers a much higher level of play than the Finnish Veikkausliiga, it appeared to be a logical move for a player who had proven himself in a league that is widely considered to be a jumping off point for other leagues in Europe.
“It’s hard to say what I expected because I had never played in Sweden. I had a couple of friends who had played there and they gave me some idea about the level of play. To experience it firsthand, it was basically, to be honest, a difference that was like night and day. Even though the two countries border each other and are right next to each other, the difference is night and day. The speed is quicker, the players are bigger and stronger, the stadiums are better and the atmosphere around football is such that it is the number one sport there. In Finland the number one sport is hockey. When it comes to football, the level in Sweden is head and shoulders above that of Finland in terms of the talent and the way they position the game to the fans. It’s something that I enjoyed very much and I’m very glad that I was able to experience it and to test myself and to know that I did well.”
As much as Chencinski enjoyed his first year in Sweden immensely, it was not a year that was without its challenges and ups and downs. Not only did Orebro struggle in a season in which the club was relegated to the second division, but those struggles also lead to a coaching change that ended up impacting his position as the number one keeper with the team. Asked if the ups and downs of a turbulent campaign ever weighed on him, Chencinski was quick to state that his positive mental attitude never allowed him to do anything other than just work that much harder towards getting himself ready to seize the opportunity for when his chance inevitably came.
“(Coaching changes are) part of the game. I started the season as the number one and then there was the coaching change. When I was dropped, as a professional athlete I had a choice whether I wanted to give up or to keep fighting. And as I was growing up, I was always taught that when adversity comes, that I had to keep going and to put my head down and work. That’s what I did. Like anyone else, I had the choice to pack it in and not care or keeping working hard. The team was still going to need me and my philosophy is always to work hard every day and to do everything I can to keep getting better. So I worked hard while waiting for my opportunity and then it came again. Obviously, it is difficult when a new coach comes in and knows the other goalkeeper better than you. I just had to keep working hard to show the coach that I wanted my chance and that I deserved my chance and that I should be playing.”
Tomer Chencinski 2012 Allsvenskan Highlights:
While he was not hoisting a Championship trophy at the end of the last campaign, Chencinski also admitted that he learned a lot from being part of a relegation battle and that, in many ways, it played to his strengths as a player who will never be outworked and who will never stop fighting to make the next big save or play a role in his team’s next win. In that sense, it is no surprise that the keeper ended the season on such a strong run of form and enabled his team to head into the offseason with some positive momentum surrounding the club.
“Number one, it is disappointing, because you never want to be part of a relegation battle, you always want to be part of a Championship team. It is very hard, not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Once somebody goes through that, I think it really shows their character, because when you are at the bottom of the table day in, day out, it is a lot of weight on your shoulders and you have the entire league pushing down on you. I think that it builds good character in terms of work ethic, because when you are down there you can never take a day off, because things will only get worse. So you just need to put your head down and keep working and keep doing the right things towards doing the best that you can to get out of that spot.”
With a really strong run of performances in his last six starts while playing against several of the top teams in the Allsvenskan, as well as being named Man of the Match in four of the team’s final six fixtures, Chencinski will enter next season as Orebro’s clear number one keeper and as a player the team will be leaning on to lead the club right back up to the first division.
“I had conversations with the Sports Chief and the Coach and they told me that they are looking at me as the number one and that is what they are expecting from me. I played well in the latter part of the season and I had some good performances and that is what they want. As far as unfinished business or anything, it doesn’t matter what the situation is, I always come in looking to give the best I can and to do the best that I can to help the team. The goal right now is to earn promotion and to help the team to get back to the top flight. That’s where Orebro needs to be and should be, because we are a team with history and we are a good team. It was so unfortunate that this year we faced what we did. I think there will be some changes, but I think there will be some good points for us to take and for us to challenge and do well and fight our way back up to promotion.”
Tomer Chencinski 2012 highlights(2nd half of season):
Now having earned his stripes at Orebro, it also would not be a surprise if other clubs across Europe had their eyes opened by Chencinski’s positive and strong performances in 2012. And given the fact that Orebro has been relegated to the second division, as well as the fact that the Canadian keeper only has one year left on his contract, it also would not be a surprise if both Chencinski and Orebro have been approached about a possible transfer.
“As a footballer, I never want to stay stagnant. With that being said, it’s not like I’m looking to leave Orebro. As a professional footballer, if you don’t want to get better and improve, then there is something wrong. I’m always looking to get better and to improve and to just play at the highest level that I can and to just keep improving that way. So the fact that there is interest is very nice and humbling. At the same time, I have to make sure that I stay as grounded as I can and just keep plugging away and working hard, because if I keep doing the right things and work hard, I believe good things will happen. I firmly believe that hard work pays off. I going to keep working hard in the offseason to better myself and I believe good things will come. If there are good teams that are interested and potential teams that are playing in Europe, that is a footballer’s dream. Everybody wants to play in Europe – in the Champions League and the Europa League – and I’m no different. So I will do anything that I can in order to be able to do that and just keep pushing to be the best that I can be.”
According to the player himself, he is purely focused on continuing to improve as a player and on helping his current club get back to their rightful place in Swedish football.
“As far as other clubs and things like that, my main focus is the football and my performance and my agent does a good job in dealing with other things like that. My focus is just on giving the best that I can in terms of the football product. Yes, there is one year left on my contract and so far right now I am part of Orebro and that is where my focus is. If something else happens, I would never turn down an offer if a team like Real Madrid came along. I don’t think any player is going to say no to that, because everybody wants to play at the highest level that they can. At the same time, I need to make sure that I fulfill my obligations to Orebro. And since right now I am under contract, that is where my focus is. If something comes along and is on the table, that is something we can talk about when it comes. My focus right now is to my work over the offseason to get prepared for coming back. They are happy with what I can do and what I bring.”
Of course, like any other player, in addition to the goal of one day playing in the Champions League, Chencinski does have his own clubs and leagues that he admires, both as a professional player and as a pure fan of the beautiful game.
“I know that I can play for at least another ten years. My dream has always been around my love for the English league. I would say that I am very good goalkeeper who is very good with my feet and who is very good in the air. And I think that is something that could suit English or German football very well and I love the atmospheres in those two countries. Obviously the football culture that is in Germany is second to none and England is basically right up there with Germany. They are soccer fanatics and so am I. So why wouldn’t I want to be part of that? Obviously, those are two leagues that would really pull me in their direction. If there was an opportunity from either of those leagues, it is something that I would have to listen to, because when you are growing up, those are the two places that you grow up hearing about.”
With his fine play and relentlessly positive and team-oriented attitude certain to open more doors at the club level, Chencinski also looks very much like a player who is primed to make his mark in International football as well. Like many Canadians, he has multiple options with respect to national teams that he is eligible to play for. Born in Tel Aviv, Israel and having grown up in Toronto, Chencinski is eligible to represent both Canada and Israel, as well as Poland. As of right now, he is focused on taking care of business on the pitch, as he knows his play at the club level is what will ultimately determine his future at the International level.
“Obviously the main ones are Canada and Israel. Poland is not something that is in the books right now and I don’t think it will be. In terms of Canada and Israel, I know that there has been some interest from both. I have thought about it, but it also hasn’t come to fruition yet. I know that it will. So when it comes to that point, it is something that I will have to make a decision about. If I don’t concentrate on my club football and my club team and doing the best that I can there, then I know that the International game is not going to come. So my main focus is to do my best with my club and then I know that good things will come. Down the line, it is something that I will put more thought into and that I will need to put more thought into. Obviously, I was born in Israel and I have family there and I grew up there. But Canada is more than a second home for me, because of everything that it offered me and my family. It opened up its doors to support a foreign family. And I know that Canada has such a big melting pot and there are people with so many different backgrounds, which is something that also pulls me. I feel a connection with that and I am so grateful for everything that Canada has done my family and myself that it is serious option. With all of that said, if I don’t concentrate on my club career and do well, then I know that those options will not be there.”
Interestingly, the Canadian National Team does have a friendly scheduled on January 26th against Denmark and, given that he has played professionally for the last couple of years in Scandinavia, it could be the ideal opportunity to bring the on the rise keeper into the Canadian fold and get him acquainted with the Canadian program.
“I know that Canada does not have a head coach and I don’t know who is going to lead the team for the Denmark game. It is something that I am aware of, but, at the same time, I can’t get my hopes up for it. If there is an opportunity there, it is something I will think about more and it would be very exciting. In terms of the Danish style, it is closer to Europe even though it is part of Scandinavia. I think that the football in Sweden is similar. We played against a Danish team in preseason. Whatever happens for that match, it will be blessing whether it happens or it doesn’t . We’ll see what happens.”
Ultimately, right now Chencinski is happy to be back in Canada over the holidays and through the offseason. While his professional career has seen him living and playing in the United States, Finland, Sweden and Moldova over the last number of years, he is quick to admit that he does miss Canada when he is abroad.
“I miss Canada and I miss my family and my friends. It is the life of a footballer. Everybody thinks that it is so glamorous but at times it can be lonely. I don’t have a family and I don’t have kids, so it is really nice to be see my family and to be at home. And the nicest thing is to have some good home cooking.”
Having recently celebrated a birthday and having turned 28, Chencinski is now entering those years in his late twenties and early thirties that are considered the prime for most goalkeepers. Even though he has enjoyed success as player over the last couple of years and has seen his stock rise commensurately, he does not have any plans to rest on his laurels. Instead, Chencinski is purely focused on continuing to work hard every day to keep his career moving on an incline and to reach his full potential as both a player and a person.
“I know that I haven’t even reached my prime yet. I’m working hard every single day and I know that I am only getting better. I’m so excited about the future. At the same time, I don’t want to jump ahead. I want to take my time now to see what my future will hold. And I know if I put in the work now, then good things will happen. I’m excited and I’m looking forward. What will the future hold? I don’t know, but there could be bigger clubs and different leagues and a national team. So I’m hoping for those things. It’s also a big thing to play in Europe and wherever I play I want to play in Europe in the Champions League. That is every footballer’s dream. I want to do the best I can on a personal level. That is the main thing for me, to put in the work and then good things will happen. That has happened in the past and I know that they will again.”
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