Goalkeeper duo Hradecky and Schlich at Kids press conference

In the best of moods, Lukas Hradecky  opened the round of questions with a resounding “Who’s brought questions with them?” – an invitation for the well-prepared kids who wrote their questions in advance on notes. Just like experienced journalists.

For starters, Hradecky and youth keeper Schlich explained how they ended up between the sticks. Hradecky: “Every child played football in our neighbourhood. So I wanted to as well. It was fun from the start for me and it still is every time even after 30 years,” said the 35-year-old: “Besides that, I wasn’t really any good as an outfield player and I didn’t like running that much. (He laughs) That was my position from day one.”

Schlich, who was taking part in a children’s press conference for the first time: “I always used to play in the garden with my cousins before my parents registered me with a club. I was a striker at first. One day our keeper was sidelined so I volunteered, had fun doing it and I have maintained that up to today. Joy and trouble are so close to each other in goal and that's the big thing for me."

Hradecky added with a wink: "And as goalkeepers we are able to eat sweets more often than the others – so think carefully about which position you choose!" (He laughs)

Hradecky as Spider man, Schlich with special role model

The children asked if they always had role models. Hradecky quipped: "Not really. But my nickname is the 'Finnish spider’ and I always wanted to be Spider Man and shoot nets out of my hands so I could save every shot." Schlich gave a prompt response: "Lukas Hradecky," which brought loud applause including from the man sat next to him.

And the best game in your career? Schlich: "The first game in the UEFA Youth League – the Champions League for youth players – against Feyenoord this season. It was my first game on the European stage. We won it and I was very happy with myself. The most emotional for me was the semi-final win on penalties against Eintracht Frankfurt in last season's battle for the German title.“ For Hradecky is was the 3-0 victory against Bayern Munich in the double winning season.

Hradecky as a Bus driver

"But what would have happened if it hadn't worked out with football?," asked a girl in the front row. "Then I would have liked to have been a bus driver – I used to sketch streets. Also I was good at school student particularly in geography," said the Werkself captain. The best subject for 17-year-old Schlich, who is still going to school, is mathematics.

Hradecky also revealed he likes watching tennis and padel in addition to football, Schlich is primarily interested for the game with a ball in the hand: "My two sisters play handball that's why I often watch it. And I also used to play handball alongside football."

There were also one or two questions where the two keepers did not have a suitable answer ready: The question about how they would explain the offside rule in simple terms to children left the two of them floundering.

lots of Autographs and Selfies

A group photo was taken at the end. After that the children busily collected autographs and the signature of mascot Brian the Lion was also keenly sought. Whether on autograph cards, jerseys or balls – the players were happy to meet all requests...