2014-11-07 10:10:10

"Veselovsky - good goalie!" can often be heard from the "U" faithful at home games. Since the middle of September 2013, "U"'s goal has been guarded by the beloved Robert Veselovsky. As of today, he has worn "U"'s jersey 37 times in Liga 1 and League Cup matches and has held a clean sheet in 13 of those matches. "U"'s number 33 has played in hundreds of other matches in the Slovakian, Swedish, Danish and Norwegian Leagues. The Slovakian goalkeeper shared his thoughts, memories, and aspirations in an interview held by the fan site. 

ucluj.ro: If you compared the various leagues that you've played in, what key differences between them would stand out?

Robert Veselovsky: Scandanavian football is much more physical and intense than Romanian football. The practices are slightly different as they're more physically demanding, something you need to be ready for. Here in Romania, players like to play the ball more. This is a key difference between Danish and Romanian football. Otherwise, football is just football! (smiles).

ucluj.ro: You've spent a good portion of your life in Northern Europe (Sweden, Denmark, Norway). Now, you've lived in Romania for over year. How did you feel about the transition from life in the North to life in Cluj?

Robert Veselovsky: Everyone knows that life in the North is different. For me, life in Romania is closest to that in Slovakia. The people and the lifestyle are closer to those in Slovakia, especially in Cluj, the most beautiful city in Romania in my eyes. I like living here. Even my wife likes it here. She didn't like life in Denmark. The people there don't have time to relax; all they do is work, work and work... the cities there are smaller than those in Romania and everything is cheaper here (laughs).

ucluj.ro: Is football the only competitive sport that you've played? What other sports do you folow and/or would like to play?

Robert Veselovsky: As a matter of fact, I started playing hockey when I was 6 or 7. Hockey is the most popular sport in Slovakia. Everyone wanted to play hockey. I think I played for about a year. I even wanted to be a goalie. Hockey is a fairly expensive sport and since my parents couldn't afford it, I stopped playing. When I was 7 or 8, a friend said "let's try playing football." I chose to play goalie because I didn't have to run. Running's too boring for me (laughs)! I also like basketball. From time to time I meet up with friends and shoot hoops with them.

ucluj.ro: The fans know you as a goalkeeper. Is that the only position that you've played or have you played other positions?

Robert Veselovsky: I once had a teammate who was as good as I was at goalie. Seeing as we were as good as each other, our coach decided to switch us every match: I'd play one match as a goalie and he'd play the next one in goal. Whoever wasn't the starting goalie got to play striker. So yes, I've played other positions, but I think goalkeeper suits me best. 

ucluj.ro: One of Universitatea's goalkeepers in the eighties said a certain "dose of insanity" (in the good sense of the word) can make the difference between a good goalie and a great one. Is that the case with you?

Robert Veselovsky: All goalies have to be insane! I've had the pleasure of knowing a guy who played for Sparta Prague for a few years. I trained with him and I think he's the most insane guy in the world (laughs)! Ask anyone in the locker room and they'll tell you that all goalies are insane. I don't know why, but that's the way it is. 

ucluj.ro: You played against "U"'s city rivals in your first match for the club and won a valuable point. What memories come to mind when you think about that match?

Robert Veselovsky: I didn't even know my teammates. I think I arrived here 5 days before the match. I met the guys for the first time at Poiana Brașov, where they were training. I didn't even know their names! Back then, I didn't know how important the fixture is to the club and to the city. You need to live here for awhile to understand what that fixture represents.

ucluj.ro: What is your favorite memory from your time so far at Universitatea and what is your least favorite?

Robert Veselovsky: My favorite - I think it was the night when we came back from beating our city rivals. When I left the bus, there were a bunch of fans with flares and fireworks. You could even see a few that were crying for joy because we'd won. When you see something like that, you can tell who really cares and who doesn't. When I came here, the club was in a bad situation. During that time, from the moment that I arrived to the day when we avoided relegation in Brașov, a lot of things have changed. After that, Mr. Walter came back to the club. You can't imagine how his return changed the team! When I came here, we didn't even have band-aids; we had to go out and buy them ourselves. Those were tough times. Even though it appeared impossible, avoiding relegation that season was something incredible! I can't think of a least favorite memory here.

ucluj.ro: When you came to "U", you signed a contract that expired at the end of June 2014. There were rumors in the press at that time that the Romanain champions wanted to sign you. What convinced you to continue playing for Universitatea?

Robert Veselovsky: Rumors are one thing, what actually happens is another. To be honest, those were just rumors. Before I came here, I was looking for a club for 3 months. I trained a lot to be ready if a chance came my way. That chance came from "U" Cluj. I tried to repay the club for their faith in me, especially since the club was going through hard times. My wife and I were expecting... I decided to stay because I felt like I had to give back. The people in the club and the fans welcomed me with open arms. These are the kind of things that make you stay.

ucluj.ro: Alin Dincă, Universitatea's current goalkeeper coach, showed you the information sheet that he made for you. In his opinion, you've managed to sort out 90% of the problems that you saw in your game because of your hard work and seriosity! He also sees you as a vital player for "U" that gives his teammates a level of certainly. How do you see your collaboration with Alin Dincă?

Robert Veselovsky: Alin is a cool guy and a good coach. He came to the club with some new ideas that appear to be working so far. I have a great relationship with him. The relationship between a goalkeeper coach and a goalie is unique; it's very "one to one" and as a result we become closer than other players do with their coaches. There's a lot of work with Alin, especially physcial work.

ucluj.ro: What objectives did you set at the beginning of this Liga 1 season?

Robert Veselovsky: Every season is long; there are many games in the league, the Romanian Cup and the League Cup. I don't set goals ahead of a new season. I just try to take everything in stride, game by game. I just want to give my best in the next match. 

ucluj.ro: Next year marks 50 years since "U" won the only trophy in their history - the Romanian Cup. George Ogăraru has said that he'd like to win a new trophy for the club. In regards to Liga 1, more teams are relegated at the end of the season (6) than have been in seasons past. Right now, do you think that "U" can succeed on all fronts (in the league and in both cups)?

Robert Veselovsky: It's been awhile since "U" last won a trophy. Fifty years are half a century... I know that George is the kind of guy that wants to win every match regardless of if it's a cup match or a scrimmage. That's why I think he was a great player. It's not a cliche, that's who he is! I think we'll manage even though there are three competitions. If we fail in one, there are two others to play in. I know were in a tough spot in the league, but we've seen worse. I hope that the fans will have faith in us. It's a long road: winning two or three matches will put you in a better position. We'll succeed! 

ucluj.ro: The next team that you'll face in the Romanian Cup is Pandurii Tărgu-Jiu. How do you see the match against them? Can Universitatea consider themselves favorites since they're playing at home in Cluj?

Robert Veselovsky: Pandurii is an unpredictable team for me because they've managed to make it far in the cup even though they haven't had a great season. Our win against them wasn't easy. Even though we're playing at home, I think both teams have an equal chance of making it to the semifinals. A cup match is different from a league match. We'll do everything that we can to win so we can play in the semifinals.

ucluj.ro: Are you disappointed that fewer people are coming to "U"'s home matches?

Robert Veselovsky: It's definately not good. It's a big stadium that isn't easy to fill. Even so, only 2,000 people showing up is a small number of people. Seeing people leave when Viitorul led 2-0 was hurtful for the boys. I really appreciate the fans that stayed with us to the end! We came back in the 2nd half and played well. I've always wanted to see the stadium full!

ucluj.ro: It's well known that the fans have a lot of respect for you. What do you think caused that reaction on their part? 

Robert Veselovsky: I don't know. To be honest, I had the same thing happen to me when I played for Viborg; I had a good relationship with the fans. I don't know why; I don't do anything specifically. Maybe it's the way I play or something else... I don't come in contact with the fans that often. The language is a problem. When I meet fans, they say hello and nothing more because it's hard to communicate. The language is a barrier that I'd like to fix (smiles). Maybe they see that I'm a guy that wants to win and does everything that he can for the team. I'll keep it up (laughs)! I really appreciate their respect. It's hard to thank them back without any contact with them. It feels good to be appreciated. 

ucluj.ro: What are your hobbies and what do you like to do in your free time?

Robert Veselovsky: I spend all of my free time with my family. Right now it's all about football and family. I don't have time for anything else. Raising a kid is hard work (laughs)! Sometimes I go out with the teammates, but not very often. 

ucluj.ro: How would you characterize yourself in a few words?

Robert Veselovsky: You should ask Alin (laughs)! I'd say that I'm diligent and hardworking. You don't need a lot of talent to be a goalie, you need a lot of hard work. I'm serious...

ucluj.ro: What woud you like to say to Universitatea's fans via ucluj.ro?

Robert Veselovsky: As I previously said, I'd like to see a full stadium! Come to the stadium and make me happy! I've seen the stadium with 20,000 fans when we played Steaua... You see a reaction from the team. It's quite different when you play with 20,000+ fans behind you. It gives you energy and the game means more because you're playing for people. Ever since I came here, the club has seen some tough times, but the fans have always been there. They're always there cheering us on no matter what. We haven't made them proud very often. They spend good money to be fans. Even in Mediaș there were 200-300 fans. They do it because their passion comes from the heart! You do something like this for a lifetime. Maybe one day we'll applaud them! Anytime you see me on the street, you can talk to me. I'll always have time for the fans! 

Personal Info

First and Last Name: Robert Veselovsky

Date of Birth: September 2nd, 1985

Height: 185 cm

Position: Goalkeeper

Teams that he's played for: FC Nitra; 1. FC Slovacko U21; Östers IF; Viborg FF; FK Haugesund (on loan); AC Horsens; FC Universitatea Cluj 

Goals conceded: 176 goals in total, 39 of which were in Liga 1. 

Yellow Cards: 13

Red Cards: 1 (FC Universitatea Cluj-FC Dinamo Bucureşti 2-3 (6th minute) - August 4th, 2014)

Debut in Liga 1: September 15th, 2013 in FC Universitatea Cluj - *** (0-0). 

Violeta Merie