Marko Johansson: Ex-HSV goalkeeper flees Iran assaults to Turkey | EUROtoday

The assaults on Iran – and a former second division keeper is in the midst of it. Marko Johansson (27) skilled the warfare first hand. He fled to Turkey. The Swede, who used to play in aim for Eintracht Braunschweig and Hamburger SV, tells his story in “Bild”.

Johansson is below contract with the Iranian champions Traktor FC within the metropolis of Tabriz. He says: “On Saturday morning I met the club’s other foreign players for breakfast. One of them suddenly said that Tehran had been attacked.”

At the time, the professionals had been making ready for the spherical of 16 within the Asian Champions League. The opponent in Dubai on Monday needs to be Shabab Al-Ahli. “It quickly became clear to us that it was best to leave the country,” says Johansson. “Instead of one bag for Dubai, I packed two bags. Shortly afterwards the coach called us together and told us that the club would support us in everything.”

To depart Iran, the gamers wanted a particular exit visa. Then the shock follows. “We were sitting in the hotel on the training ground when suddenly there was a huge blow. The whole building shook. We jumped up in fright and didn’t know where to go,” says the Swede.

“My thoughts are with the people of Iran”

The airstrikes focused an Iranian army base about six kilometers from the coaching web site. Nevertheless, the gamers simply wished to get away: “Within a few minutes, a car was ready for us and we were driven to the Turkish border. The drive took five hours, during which we saw the Iranians preparing missiles for the counterattack,” mentioned Johansson.

The formalities on the border had been accomplished rapidly. Then we continued to Istanbul, from the place Johansson flew on to Gothenburg in Sweden: “Here I am with my wife and my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. The other foreign players from my club are also with their families.”

The former Swedish U21 goalkeeper does not know what’s going to occur subsequent: “I’m training alone for now. That’s very unusual for me. At the same time, I’m following the news from Iran very closely. And as far as my contract is concerned – my agent will take care of that.”

He performed in Germany for 4 years. Most lately in Braunschweig, the place a thumb harm put him out of motion: “I liked the league. And I speak the language too.” Finally he says: “My thoughts are with the people of Iran. I am in contact with many of them. I hope the conflict will pass quickly.”

The textual content was written for the Sports Competence Center (WELT, „Bild“, “Sport Image”) created and first revealed in “Bild”.