FC St. Pauli

Karol Mets on…

...the season opener at Kaiserslautern: "I remember last season's home game against Lautern very well. It was a real battle. They were very well organised, very defensive and compact. I'm expecting a tough game, another battle without too many chances."

...the Fritz Walter Stadium: "I've never played there, but I've heard a lot about the fans and the special atmosphere. As a footballer you look forward to it when the ground's full and the atmosphere's good. I still enjoy playing even when most of the fans are against us. You have to deal with it."

...pre-season and his feeling going into the opening game: "Pre-season went very well. We trained hard and the intensity and workload were high. We're well prepared physically and have been fortunate to have had hardly any injuries, so we start the new campaign with a deep squad. While confidence is an individual matter, I get the feeling we're very confident, especially when I consider how we deal with certain situations. That gives me confidence."

...a starting berth at the Betzenberg: "Where's the gaffer (he laughs)? It's still open, there's fierce competition in every position, including defence. We all have to do our best to convince the coach of our qualities. If I don't start, I'll ask myself what more I could have done."

...not having scored in an FCSP shirt: "I'd obviously like to get my first goal and I hope it'll be a decisive goal that gives us a win rather than a meaningless one. I have to be in the right place at the right time and time it right. A goal is not my objective, though. My personal goals are to play as much as possible and help the team."

...the target for the season: "The club has said top 25 in Germany, and I think that's right. If we go any higher, it's a bonus. We have to stay realistic and see how we start the season first. The second half of last season was really good. If we start well, we can have a stable season, but we'll still keep taking each game as it comes."

Photos: FC St. Pauli/Witters