#31 Aljoša Kous will be defending the pond
GH: The team's progress last season was noticeable, but at the end of the season with "only" 4th place, it left some bitter aftertaste. If you compare the goals before the season with the final result, how would you rate the team's success?
Last season, there were quite a few ups and downs, which affected the goals and results. As a team, we finished the regular season in second place, which we honestly did not expect, mainly because we went into the season without a coach and managed to convince him to return after the Erre Bowl. However, in the final tournament, we came with a good fitness pass, and the lack of experience mentally affected the course of the game in the final match. Certainly, 4th place is a success compared to the first season, but I can admit that I wanted to climb the podium with my teammates and attack first place this season.
GH: The team made some changes in the "off-season" some arrivals and departures were. How do you see the situation as a player?
On May 8, 2022, we will officially exist for two years. In these two years, we have built a good team. We provide it with regular training, professionalism, and investment in a young framework of players. I think we are facing the same problems as many amateur and professional sports clubs, how to motivate players so that there are no excessive fluctuations. Flag football is a very technical and tactical sport where years of playing are required. If there are too many departures or arrivals in the off-season, there may be a mismatch on the court and in the game itself. I think the coach did an excellent job of patching up the gap to raise the level of competition in the team a bit in those positions that we lacked, but I would like all the players from last season to stay, get organized and have the same desire, to be able to attack Europe. You have no growth in the game if you don't have players. As an actor, I feel sorry for every departure, but I welcome every arrival. It is difficult to replace a good player with a rookie, but rookies are essential for the development and future of the club. Game changes will always be there when you aim for laurels.
GH: Ljubljana Frogs can boast of a new general sponsor Enaa in the coming season and a good number of other sponsors, old and new. Does the trust from so many sponsors put additional pressure on you?
I probably feel more pressure than others (laughs). Sport is business. Business is results and numbers. The more visibility you have, the more attractive you are to sponsors. The better results you have, the more they invest. It all starts with the story and order of the sports association. Results, results, results. The results depend on the players, how they manage their time, the coach, and how he guides them on this path. Some sponsors may be players who come into the season and leave next. Enaa sees potential in us in the long run. Our sport is fast and explosive, and their delivery is prompt. Not the best if it's not Enaa. We are always looking for sponsors where our players can save some euros to have everything in one place. From physiotherapist, nutritionist, computer equipment, mobile telephony, sports equipment, beer, and wine for dinner. Without Aljoša Domijan, Peter Španič, Anže Vardijan, Peter Frelih, Klemen Prelec, Jernej Tovšak, Alenka Skok and other Frogsi, they would not exist. We hope it will be the same in the future.
GH: As a defence captain, you probably look at the game differently from your teammates. Considering last year's results, are you satisfied with the entire defence's performances? What about individual performances?
As a captain, you have a million obligations to the game. It is essential to know each opponent as a whole. Individual players, you cover yourself, who is your teammates cover, anticipate what may change in the course of the game, read the dealer's competition. Who had a good day in the tournament, who has "resentment", who is also motivated by a bad day from the defence who dropped the flag, criticized, raised his voice, communicated, praised his teammate, and encouraged. Above all, it is up to the captain to give even more of himself when this is most expected of him. Overall, we raised the level of play in defence to a slightly higher level than the first year. It was a pity for Lenarčič's injury, which I believed would raise the game level by two classes. We had a top blitz duo Hrušovar - Cegnar, which worked phenomenally, Strgar - Godec covered the bottom zone, and Williamson and I worked well in the backfield. The defence relies on the team. If the attack works, so will we. If the attack doesn't work and we spend most of the time alone on the court, our performances will also be worse. This year comes to Alessio, who has tremendous potential, even more significant than me (laughs). However, much work will be needed on individual performances, primarily technical and fitness aspects. The game is getting faster and faster, and thank goodness I'm moving to my primary position where there's a little less running (laughs).
GH: You are among the older and more experienced players on the Frog team. How much longer do you see yourself actively playing, and have you already thought about where the path will lead you after the end of active playing?
Active playing will accompany me for two more seasons, and then I will hang my football boots on a peg. The ideal scenario would be the title of champion this year and the fight for a medal at the Championsbow next year; these are the only two achievements I want before retirement. I've always played for worse clubs on paper, but I think we have tremendous potential at Frogs if we're all on the same wavelength and give things up accordingly. My wish is to set up the first professional team in flag football in Europe with Gregor Hočevar, led by coach Makuc, to pay for all the effort and sacrifice of free time, and to make some money from it, because so far, I haven't even managed to get the Japanese to I thank him (laughs). To develop youth teams and a women's group that will be synonymous with running non-profit organizations. I already help a lot in the development of sports in other countries, and my plan is to attend the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics as a coach of either the women's or men's national teams from Europe and win medals. Due to the nature of my work, time allows me to do this, and I think this is also a realistic goal, as I have no need to train in Slovenia because my heart beats only for green and white. But last year, I had the opportunity to travel as a coach to the World Cup, but it was not the right time.
