In the second leg of the UEFA Champions League playoffs, Berlin (Germany), where Tsuiki Satoshi plays, played against Tours (France) on Thursday, February 8th local time, and won 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-22).
Post-match interview with Satoshi Tsuiki
T: How do you feel looking back on today's game?
Tsuiki: (Based on the results of the first leg, to advance to the quarterfinals) we only needed to win two sets, but I felt a lot of pressure. Still, we were helped quite a bit by our opponents' mistakes, and I think that's why we won. Our play wasn't bad, but I think we were helped quite a bit by our opponents' mistakes.
T: How do you feel looking back at your own playing?
Tsuiki: Personally, to be honest, it wasn't good at all, so I need to improve my accuracy. I think the defense wasn't bad, but the other small things were no good at all, so I feel like I need to improve my accuracy in those areas.
T: The Tour venue was almost full and the fans were really excited, but what was the atmosphere like in this away venue?
Tsuiki: I'm used to that sort of thing. It's the same at our home stadium, and when it gets to this level and this stage, the fans come in a lot and that sort of unique atmosphere, that sort of thing is the norm, so I can't use that as an excuse, I have to get used to it, and I think that's the kind of environment we have to operate in.
T: Next up is the quarterfinals, where you will face Trentino from Italy. Please tell us your enthusiasm for that match.
Tsuiki: Whether good or bad luck, we will be facing the team currently ranked number one in the Italian league again (last season we played against Perugia here and lost), so I am personally very excited about it, and before this season started we talked about making it to the top four in the Champions League. Berlin has been in the top eight for the past three years, and it is both our team's and personal goal to make sure we get to the next step. Of course, we know they are a strong opponent, but if we do our best, I think we can manage it, and it will be an interesting game.
T: How do you feel looking back on this season so far, including the German League and the Champions League?
Tsuiki: This year, I started off with an injury, and then the number of teams in the German league increased, so the number of games also increased, and the away games were far away from Berlin, so to be honest it's been tougher than last year, but I think the fact that I'm able to play in such an environment means I can grow again, so I want to stay positive about that.
T: What are your goals for this season?
Tsuiki: We need to win at least the same title as last season. We've made it to the quarterfinals of the domestic league and the Champions League, which is the same as last season, so we need to win one more.
T: Regarding last year's national team season, although you were selected as a registered member, you didn't get many opportunities to play, so it must have been a disappointing season. How did you feel about it?
Tsuiki: To be honest, that's how it was evaluated. But I don't intend to make excuses, and as long as I continue to appeal, I'll be fine. I don't know how I'm evaluated, but I'll just accept that last year's national team was evaluated that way and just keep going, or rather, I can't really say, but if I'm selected for the national team again this year, I'll appeal in my own way and do the best I can, that's all I can do.
Photo: CEV, author
English 
Japanese