Olaf Kolzig

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28377-2004Mar26.html

It appears that Kolzig will play in the World Championships and the World Cup for Germany.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28377-2004Mar26.html

It appears that Kolzig will play in the World Championships and the World Cup for Germany.

@rbeeler we have discussed that in other threads you may take a look...
But it's offical that Ollie will join Team Germany in Prague.

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Marian Cisar the Preds need you.... :nashville

Does Kölzig speak at least a little German?

Kolzig does speak german pretty well. His parents spoke german to him when he was a kid and he only learn english through school and television shows. His german isn't perfect but it is good enough to communicate with his other teammates. I remember hearing him conversing with Germany's two other goaltenders at the 96 World Cup Josef Heiss and Klaus Merk and I was surprised that no english was being spoken between the three.

Kolzig does speak german pretty well. His parents spoke german to him when he was a kid and he only learn english through school and television shows. His german isn't perfect but it is good enough to communicate with his other teammates. I remember hearing him conversing with Germany's two other goaltenders at the 96 World Cup Josef Heiss and Klaus Merk and I was surprised that no english was being spoken between the three.

"Klausi, wink einmal!" :handclap:

When was the last time Kölzig played for Germany? 96?

"Klausi, wink einmal!" :handclap:

When was the last time Kölzig played for Germany? 96?

Wasn't it Nagano Olympics 1998?

My father attend on of the World Cup games in '96 and bought a program for me...inside they had an article on Kolzig playing for Germany. According to that article, he said that he knew German (though his listening skills were much better than his speaking skills) and that his father traveled to team Germany's camp with him for a couple of weeks till his German skills returned.

One funny thing to note, around here in the DC area, Kolzig does commercials for a limo company. My friends just knew that he played for Germany (thinking he was born and raised there) and were amazed at his excellent English skills.

My father attend on of the World Cup games in '96 and bought a program for me...inside they had an article on Kolzig playing for Germany. According to that article, he said that he knew German (though his listening skills were much better than his speaking skills) and that his father traveled to team Germany's camp with him for a couple of weeks till his German skills returned.

One funny thing to note, around here in the DC area, Kolzig does commercials for a limo company. My friends just knew that he played for Germany (thinking he was born and raised there) and were amazed at his excellent English skills.

Koelzig was amazing against the Bruins last game. He's ready!!! :thumbu:

Incase you guys didn't know, Olaf Kolzig was born in South Africa.

And Heatley was born in Germany, but that doesn't make him German.

And Heatley was born in Germany, but that doesn't make him German.
Just out of curiosity, does Kolzig have just a German passport, or does he also hold the passport of another nation? Just wondering if he is only allowed to represent Germany, or if he's only getting to represent Germany because he played for them before the IIHF put in place the rule that requires holders of multiple citizenship to play for at least two years in the country they wish to represent?

Graham.

He only has a German passport.

He only has a German passport.

He just plays for Germany but in mind he's an american.

He just plays for Germany but in mind he's an american.

Did anyone claim it wasn't so?

Did anyone claim it wasn't so?

Cool down!! :madfire:

How do u know he's an American in mind? Did he say that? why would he want to play for germany if he wasn't proud of his german heritage? :shakehead

How do u know he's an American in mind? Did he say that? why would he want to play for germany if he wasn't proud of his german heritage? :shakehead

Why shouldn't he?? :shakehead :shakehead
It's pretty normal to presume the american mentality when you spend your whole life in the States. He usually comes across during the off-season but his centre of life is in North America and he speaks English with his children as their mother tongue. By the way theirs NO need to get angry, guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I saw him play against Austria yesterday. afterwards he admitted that he was pretty nervous because it was his first game in a long time for Germany. He might also be nervous because Zach said he would be No 1 goalie for the WC in Prague no matter what. He had some trouble with the language in the interview after the game but he's very nice guy

Yes, I attended the game yesterday, the second austrian goal was on him ;)

But this was very solid, though one has to admit, that Austria wasn't that dangerous. Well, just a test game.

Kölzig was taken to a television interview on the ice just after the match and the crowd sang his name and he seemed to be very delighted about that, waved to the audience during the interview.

Then, as it usually is when people are celebrating a guy, the crowd wanted him to come over and celebrate a little bit by throwing the hands in the air and the crowd would follow by doing the same. Pretty usual habit over here while celebrating, but he didn't know it and had to be instructed by an official while leaving the rink. So he came back and did this with a very very big smile and seemed to have lots of fun with the fans. :D

He had rare opportunities to show his skills, the fans just celebrated him to give him a very warm welcome to Germany and the team. A very nice afternoon.