Axel Hafer
👤 PersonAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
And then... Right now, there is a sound of bombardment coming from all around us. And all of the civilians from this area are fleeing. I still remember that week. Absolutely crazy. So you basically had the troops starting to move, and it was obvious that something could happen.
it was highly likely that something would happen. And so just the weekend before the invasion, we started to get enormous pressure. Okay, you need to terminate the contract, you need to take Gazprom off your jersey, etc.
it was highly likely that something would happen. And so just the weekend before the invasion, we started to get enormous pressure. Okay, you need to terminate the contract, you need to take Gazprom off your jersey, etc.
it was highly likely that something would happen. And so just the weekend before the invasion, we started to get enormous pressure. Okay, you need to terminate the contract, you need to take Gazprom off your jersey, etc.
We're not the richest club, and we'll never be the richest club. And our fans are not the richest. But it's a very emotional club, and that's obviously what's more important than anything else. So you need to keep the feeling of belonging and really helping each other. That is more important than a bit more money, as long as it doesn't kill you. That's the thing.
We're not the richest club, and we'll never be the richest club. And our fans are not the richest. But it's a very emotional club, and that's obviously what's more important than anything else. So you need to keep the feeling of belonging and really helping each other. That is more important than a bit more money, as long as it doesn't kill you. That's the thing.
We're not the richest club, and we'll never be the richest club. And our fans are not the richest. But it's a very emotional club, and that's obviously what's more important than anything else. So you need to keep the feeling of belonging and really helping each other. That is more important than a bit more money, as long as it doesn't kill you. That's the thing.
Exactly. And that was exactly the challenge that we all had was, okay, are we willing to risk the existence of the club to do the right thing? And how could we actually de-risk that scenario?
Exactly. And that was exactly the challenge that we all had was, okay, are we willing to risk the existence of the club to do the right thing? And how could we actually de-risk that scenario?
Exactly. And that was exactly the challenge that we all had was, okay, are we willing to risk the existence of the club to do the right thing? And how could we actually de-risk that scenario?
So during that week, I basically did nothing else than just talking 24-7 with everybody. Because obviously everybody was very nervous, and this balance of what is exactly the right point in time where we can basically manage the financial risk and still do the right thing, we had to find it.
So during that week, I basically did nothing else than just talking 24-7 with everybody. Because obviously everybody was very nervous, and this balance of what is exactly the right point in time where we can basically manage the financial risk and still do the right thing, we had to find it.
So during that week, I basically did nothing else than just talking 24-7 with everybody. Because obviously everybody was very nervous, and this balance of what is exactly the right point in time where we can basically manage the financial risk and still do the right thing, we had to find it.
We started discussions with the old mining association. So the company that used to operate all the mines is still active and has a few assets. And we basically went to them and said, listen, if something happens, is there anything that we could do? And they said, yeah, for sure, we will help you. If you need to do it, we will support you.
We started discussions with the old mining association. So the company that used to operate all the mines is still active and has a few assets. And we basically went to them and said, listen, if something happens, is there anything that we could do? And they said, yeah, for sure, we will help you. If you need to do it, we will support you.
We started discussions with the old mining association. So the company that used to operate all the mines is still active and has a few assets. And we basically went to them and said, listen, if something happens, is there anything that we could do? And they said, yeah, for sure, we will help you. If you need to do it, we will support you.
We will basically find some money and we will basically step in as an interim sponsor.
We will basically find some money and we will basically step in as an interim sponsor.
We will basically find some money and we will basically step in as an interim sponsor.
And then we had on Thursday morning, 4 a.m., or I can't remember the exact time, it was basically before everybody got up, obviously the invasion started.