Homecoming for Mainz’s “Viking”

Andreas Hanche-Olsen could almost act as a tour guide during Mainz’s two-day stay in the far north of Norway. The Conference League play-off tie against Rosenborg is a welcome draw for the Norwegian international – not because the country’s record champions are any lightweight opposition, but because the stopover in Trondheim comes at just the right time for him. “Of course I was delighted once the game in Stockholm was over last week. I know the stadium, I’ve got a few friends here and I expect some of my family will be in attendance too,” explained the 28-year-old, who is working his way back into the side after a minor operation at the start of the summer. His return has come after plenty of graft – first in rehab, then in tailored individual sessions before reintegrating with the squad. He managed 30 minutes in the DFB-Pokal win in Dresden, which he came through without issues. “Whether I’m ready for 90 minutes yet, I’m not sure,” he admitted before departure, though naturally he’s hopeful of more action at the familiar Lerkendal Stadion.

The last time Hanche-Olsen played there was in August 2020, when he captained Stabæk Fotball to a surprise 2-2 draw in front of just 200 spectators due to Covid restrictions. Mainz would certainly settle for a similar first-leg result in Thursday’s play-off (18:00 CEST) to set themselves up for the return at the MEWA ARENA a week later. Ahead of the encounter, Hanche-Olsen shared his respect for Rosenborg: “They’re the biggest club in Norway, with a great atmosphere in their stadium, which is never an easy place to play. It’s going to be an exciting challenge. Rosenborg bring a lot of intensity and are tactically strong. We’ll have to throw everything we’ve got at them,” commented the defender, who is brimming with anticipation. “What makes this competition special is that we earned these games with what we achieved last season. Now it’s about proving ourselves on the international stage. It’s a new challenge – one we’re hungry for. And above all, it should be fun, because we’ve worked so hard for it.”

Loud support – in cool conditions

Over 1,000 travelling supporters will be there to cheer Mainz on as the club makes its return to Europe after nearly nine years. Their presence is a huge boost for the team, according to Hanche-Olsen: “Our fans are incredibly important to us, every single time. We know they’re always behind us, and we feel that out on the pitch. You can sense that Mainz 05 is a club on the rise and that everyone is burning for success together.” A lively evening awaits both on and off the pitch – with the added test of cool, wet weather and temperatures of around 11 degrees. While that might catch some off guard, Hanche-Olsen relishes it: “Cold weather, a wet pitch – that’s what I enjoy,” said Mainz’s “Viking,” as head coach Bo Henriksen often calls him with pride.

Although there are worlds between Rhine Hesse and Norway’s climate, Mainz has long since become a second home for the defender, who joined from KAA Gent in January 2023. He underlined that again when extending his contract in July: “It just feels completely right for us here – both off the pitch and because I can totally identify with the club. The way football is played here is very close to my ideal.” Looking ahead to the new season, in which Mainz aim to compete on multiple fronts for as long as possible, Hanche-Olsen believes it’s fine to dream big: “Of course it would be a fantastic experience for the whole club to reach a final one day. But right now, in this busy period, our focus is always on the next game. We want to keep rewarding ourselves for the effort we put in and build on last season.”