badmintoneurope.com spoke to Germany’s badminton star and current European Champion Marc Zwiebler about the upcoming 2013 European Mixed Team Championships in Ramenskoe, Russia.

About the preparation:
There was not a real preparation for us. We are a well-attuned team and we do practice together all the time. So that’s why we are ready for the event in Russia even there was no special preparation during the last weeks.

The draw:
It’s okay for us. We will face Spain and Estonia. I will have to play two strong opponents in the men’s singles. But it’s a European Championships and for me it is good to have a tough challenge from the very beginning.

The challenge to beat Denmark:
We hope we can beat them! We will give our very best. Of course we are all looking forward to a possible final against Denmark. But we have to beat other countries first. The goal is of course to win the group stage and then the quarter-final - and a possible semi-final against the home nation Russia. That is going to be a tough tournament for us. I am not thinking about the final yet. It is a stony road to the final.

The biggest contender beside Denmark:
Should be Russia. There are quite strong in the doubles categories. If we win both the singles then we have a good chance to beat them.

To play team events:
Team events are always something special. You are not playing for yourself. We are all friends in the team and everybody is playing for the team. We have a good team spirit. Compared with the individual tournaments, we'll have the same daily routine and do all things together. That's normally not the case. However, I am looking forward to travel to Russia on the Monday and I hope we can go back to Germany with the trophy.

Your nomination for BEC Best European Player’ 12:
It is a big honour for me. I am very happy to be nominated.

Your year 2012:
Of course, 2012 was more or less a very positive year for me. I became European Champion in Sweden. A big dream came true. But to be honest, the defeats are much more in my memories if I look back on 2012. I will try to use my chances in 2013 and develop as a player.

Photo by BadmintonPhoto.