No, Theodor Gebre Selassie does not speak loudly. But Werder's Czech international does always have a smile on his face, making him well-liked by his team-mates. But hardly anyone really knows what the 26-year-old is really...
No, Theodor Gebre Selassie does not speak loudly. But Werder's Czech international does always have a smile on his face, making him well-liked by his team-mates. But hardly anyone really knows what the 26-year-old is really...
No, Theodor Gebre Selassie does not speak loudly. But Werder's Czech international does always have a smile on his face, making him well-liked by his team-mates. But hardly anyone really knows what the 26-year-old is really like; what ‘Theo' does away from the world of Werder; and how he grew up. Here is a very personal chat with the son of an Ethiopian father and Czech mother.
WERDER.DE: Theo, you have been with SV Werder for a bit more than a year. How are your German language skills coming along?
Theodor Gebre Selassie: "I understand almost everything. I just can't speak so well. But I still have German classes one or two times a week in Bremen. Often I go with Joseph Akpala.
"I feel like a Czech"
WERDER.DE: You come from a family in which your father is from Ethiopia and your mother from the Czech Republic. Do you feel more like a Czech or Ethiopian?
Theo Gebre Selassie: "Like a Czech. I was born and raised there and have all my friends in the Czech Republic. I did live in Ethiopia for one year. But I was only three years old then so I really don't have any memories of that. I have often asked my father about Ethiopia but the Czech Republic is my home."
WERDER.DE: Now you have lived in Bremen for a good year. How do you feel there?
Theo Gebre Selassie: "Bremen is my first stop outside of the Czech Republic. I like Bremen and the way the people live there. It's quiet. I live with my girlfriend and my dog near the Park Hotel. It's great there."
WERDER.DE: If someone wants to meet you in Bremen, then they just have to go to the movies, right?
Theo Gebre Selassie: "Yeah, absolutely (laughs). I love the movies. It's my biggest hobby. I go to the movies once a week. But I like to watch them in the original version in English. That is kind of tough in Bremen."
Not Zladdi's best man? "We will remain friends"
WERDER.DE: With whom in the team do you have the most fun?
Theo Gebre Selassie: "I have a good time with all my team-mates. Zladdi is my best friend in Bremen. We are also sharing a room here in the training camp. We also meet up often outside of Werder and have barbeques together and go to cafes. Our girlfriends also get along good.
WERDER.DE: Speaking of girlfriends. There's something going on with Zladdi. He and his girlfriend Katharina got engaged during the summer break. Did he already ask you if you wanted to be his best man?
Theo Gebre Selassie: "No, not yet. But it's also not yet clear when they will get married. Even if it's not me, we will still remain friends." (laughs)
