Botswana, breaststroke and a Zerofivers success story

Sometimes you have to remind yourself that Hanche-Olsen has only been at 1. FSV Mainz 05 since January of this year. The Norwegian centre-back has quickly become one of the most important components in a Mainz side which had newfound momentum going into the second half of last season. A real success story, and one that the 26-year-old would like to continue with his teammates going into next season. Mainz seems to be the right place for that, and the Zerofivers the right team. “All in all, I am very happy here,” emphasised Hanche-Olsen during the training camp in Schladming, his first with Mainz 05.

Back with the team

The Norway international returned to training midweek and looked highly motivated, full of energy and ready to work hard. “It was nice to see all the boys again and to have my foot on the ball again,” said the defender, who prefers working with the ball to the running scheduled for days off. On the training pitch in Schladming, he put his words into action. The first training sessions, which focussed on pressing, winning the ball back, putting in strong tackles and playing forward quickly fit the Norwegian’s style of play perfectly and it didn’t look like it would take long for him to get back into a playing rhythm. “That fits me well. The way that we want to approach things on the pitch is completely clear. Everyone gives their all, the intensity from everyone is good,” said Hanche-Olsen, describing the way the team want to play. “It is fun to be a part of.”

Childhood memories of a great time in Botswana

It is also the first time since his move to Mainz from Belgium that the 26-year-old has spent such an intense week with his teammates off the pitch. There is plenty of teambuilding planned in Schladming and the defender is looking forward to it: “I think that it is very important to also have a good relationship with one another off the pitch. We have a very good opportunity here to work on that, and it’s also going well,” said the Norwegian, who is sharing a room with Anton Stach.

Hanche-Olsen has already visited the indoor pool at Falkensteiner Hotels in Schladming with him a number of times to swim a few lengths after training. Hanche-Olsen feels at home both on the pitch and in the water and he has a special relationship with swimming, going back to his childhood. The centre-back lived in Botswana with his family for two years and he discovered swimming, even becoming the U10 national breaststroke champion in Botswana. But how did his family end up there? “My father had a work project and wanted to take us with him for a little adventure, so we moved there for two years. It was obviously very different from Norway. I look back on that time fondly. Botswana was extraordinary, an amazing experience. I am happy to have had that opportunity.”

From competitive swimming to the dream of becoming a footballer

The Norwegian looks back on lots of friendships and a competitive environment in school, where sport was encouraged and where he was able to measure up against the best of his age group in a number of sports. A different culture and a different area, but one that he felt very at home in as a young boy. “Botswana is an absolutely beautiful country. I still have connections with people from that time, even if most of them don’t live there anymore. I would still like to go back there again; the last time was a long time ago now.”

Back in Norway, it was football that became his dream, which he is now able to live out as an adult. Mainz is the second team he has played for outside of Norway, after Ghent. After just over half-a-year, Hanche-Olsen and his family feel at home in the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate. “Mainz is a lovely city. You have everything that you need, the Rhine right by your front door. We like it here.” He became at home at the club and in the city quickly, why has it been so quick? “I have felt welcome straight away. The fact I was able to play straight away was another factor, I felt that sense of trust. This group also makes it easier, the boys are very open and accept anyone. That makes it easier, and will also make it easier for players like Sepp, Tom and Daniel who have just joined now.

Building on the second half of the season

With the arrival of Sepp van den Berg, the Norwegian now has direct competition for a place in the centre of defence, but Hanche-Olsen doesn’t want to set himself too many personal goals, and would prefer to take it as it comes and give everything for the best result possible. “That’s what I did well in the second half of the season. I just want to have a good season. As a team, we want to build on the performances that we’ve shown, take the next step in becoming more consistent and have more solutions and options available to us in our game.”