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EP proudly hosts the first fan interview ever made
with Egyptian/Swedish goalkeeper Rami Shaaban of Arsenal
FC. Read this exclusive interview:
"First of all I will shortly describe how I got
contact with the great website, egyptianplayers.com.
It started with Egypt's keeper Nader El Sayed called,
recommended and asked if I want to shear my experience
with the Egyptian people and I thought it was a great
opportunity for me, because I love the Egyptian people.
I entered the website and I directly liked it, they
work very professionally and are honest about everything".
Rami Shaaban, Arsenal FC.
Questions from Yasser
Zohny (EP's webmaster):
Yasser: Your father
is Egyptian, your mother is Finnish and you have grown
up in Sweden.. But you must feel that you are either
Egyptian, Swedish or Finnish..which country is closer
to your heart and you consider as home?
Rami: I like the people more in
Misr and the spirit too but the way the country is,
I prefer Sweden. Finland is more of a third choice for
me because I haven't lived there.
Yasser: Considering the work permit
issue. If you chose Egypt, will Arsenal consider you
as EU national or you won't be EU national anymore and
hence you will need to play at least 75% of league games
with Arsenal to extend your work permit?
Rami:
I thought that was the case before I came to Arsenal
but it showed that I was wrong, for example, I can play
just one game for Misr and still have my working-permit
because I go under my Swedish passport as a European
citizen.
Yasser: You said in a recent interview
with BBC radio that you talked with the boss (Arsene
Wenger) to advise you about choosing the Nation that
you will represent internationally, can you share with
us the advice that Wenger said to you?
Rami:
The Boss said that it's a good experience, good for
your confidence to play for a national team, in that
moment it was only the Egyptian team that have shown
interest, now the Swedish team have called me to so
the case is different. I said the same thing to Sweden
that I need time to think about it.
Questions from Omar Sherin (EP editor):
Omar: we noticed that your passing
is good so if you can play anywhere in the field just
for fun, where would your trade be?
Rami: My passing is good because
I didn't become a goalkeeper until I was 15 years, and
before that I was a fullback so that would be the place
to play if that is the case.
Omar: where is your favorite meal
would be (Mac maadi or burger-king Traneberg’s
"Stockholm" ?
Rami: I prefer to eat chicken so
I have to say Chicken Tikka...
Omar: Arsenal is building a new
stadium, its a good move for the season tickets number
but is it wise to let go the legendary Highbury based
stadium with all its glory?
Rami: In one stage this day have
to come because the new stadium will take 62.000 people.
Highbury takes approx. 40.000 and the interest in football
is just increasing, the sad thing is to leave it as
you mentioned. We have a ten year waiting list for seasonholders
so it's understandable.
Omar: Everybody's questions: Are
you going to play for Sweden or Egypt? When will you
make up your mind? Which country do you believe you
belong to?
Rami: I don't want to rush in to
a question like this and that's why I said to Egypt
that I need six months to think about it, no matter
what I choose there will always be people that disagree
with me and that is always hard but these "problems"
are good problems if you understand what I mean, any
way, that is how i'm thinking. If you look it this way,
i'm born in Sweden and I have been living there for
over 25 years and in Misr I have been living for 18
months. My father is from Egypt that means that i'm
an Egyptian and that is what I want to feel too.
Questions from Islam Issa (EP editor):
Islam: What do you think of Mido?
Rami: I don't know Mido personally
but I have seen him playing for Ajax and i'm proud that
he is an Egyptian. As a footballer he seem to be a player
that makes everything for the team and that is something
I respect in him, he always gives 100% and that's good
of course.
Islam: How far do you think he
can go, and can he make an effect on the World and European
stage?
Rami: He is still very young and
have everything in his own hands so he can go as far
as he wants, it's up to him.
Islam: Have you thought of recommending
any Egyptian players to Arsenal? If you were to recommend
Egyptians, who would they be?
Rami: It doesn't work that way
and I have only been in Arsenal for 3 months so it's
to early to does things.
Islam: Who is the best Egyptian
goalkeeper? (not including you).
Rami: I haven't seen so much Egyptian
football lately or European so it's a difficult question
for me but I like Nader El Sayed's still not because
he's a good friend of mine just that he is a very good
goalkeeper.
Islam: Who is the Egyptian defender
whom you would like to play behind most?
Rami: I only know Hany Ramzy so
my answer must be Hany....
Islam: Finally, if Egypt and Sweden
played a friendly match, who would you support?
Rami: The team that wins ;-)
Questions from Khaled Mostafa:
Khaled: Who are your best friends?
(from the soccer side)
Rami: I have a couple of good friends
but in Arsenal it's Freddie Ljungberg, Gilberto Silva
and Giovanne Van Bronchoorst. In Misr I have contact
with Nader and Ousa. In Sweden it's Samuel Wowoah and
Pierre Gallo.
Q's from EP Forum
Members:
Question from ramicassis:
ramicassis: You have been selected
as starter for a few games, does this mean that you
are taking over Seaman's place?
Rami: No, it don't have to be that
way but my chances has not decreased.
Questions from joe:
joe: I read somewhere that you
used to play hockey...what position did you play? And
when did you decide you wanted to devote your attention
to football?
Rami: I played Ice Hockey as a
defender and as a goalie. I was 16 when I had to choose
sport.
Joe: As you have such an interesting
background, I was wondering how many languages you spoke
fluently? Swedish, Arabic, Finnish, English?
Rami: I speak fluent Swedish, Arabic,
English and Finnish.
Joe: What are your short-term and
long-term goals for your footballing career?
Rami: Short-term goals is to play
as many games as possible for Arsenal this year and
long-term goals is to be Arsenal's first choice.
Joe: The pressure that comes with
replacing a goalkeeper like Seaman who had such an illustrious
career must be tremendous...how do you feel about that?
Rami: I don't think about that
to much because I see it as a bonus and privilege to
have that opportunity.
Joe: What enters into consideration
as you attempt to decide your international future?
How does one attempt to evaluate the weight of his patriotic
allegiances...Sweden is your home, your father is Egyptian,
your mother is Finnish...Do you consider who has the
best shot at international glory? Who will give you
a chance at being starting goalkeeper? I can imagine
how difficult a decision this must be...
Rami: It's a very difficult question
and I will try to be as clear as possible, first of
all it has nothing to do with status or whatever, and
i'm not trying to play hard to get or that people have
to beg me to come, it's just are not my style. I'm always
trying to make people happy as long as it's possible,
if people are nice to me, i'm nice to them. I'm sorry
but I can't today give any answers what will decide
with country I will play for if I get the chance to
represent a national team. I see it as a big honor for
me and I don't want to let people down.
Questions from Maja (From Finland):
Maja: Moi Rami! I read your interview from a
Finnish newspaper and just wanted to say that it was
nice to hear that you are still able to speak Finnish.
My question is that if Arsenal won a competition this
season, which would you prefer, English Premiership
or the Champions league which one would you prefer?
It would be also nice to know which one of the European
leagues you think is the best/toughest ?
Rami: The thing that I rank first
to win is Champions League, because it represent the
best teams in the world. The best European league I
have to say two, the Spanish and the English.
Questions from Zamalkawy_Kebir:
Zamalkawy_Kebir: What are your favorite hangout
spots in Cairo or Egypt?
Rami: It was two years since I
was I Cairo last time and a lot changes, when I was
there I liked Pomodoro (by the Nile) but I heard that
they are not there any more but they have it in London.
The other place that I liked was Jackies' Joint in Nile
Hilton but that was four years ago.
Zamalkawy_Kebir: What are your
favorite car and food?
Rami: I'm not much into cars but
I like BMW and Volvo of course because it's Swedish
;-) When it comes to food I like pasta, meat and chicken.
Zamalkawy_Kebir: What is your favorite
soccer boots?
Rami: At the moment I play with
Puma but I like Nike too.
Zamalkawy_Kebir: What was your
reaction when you first met your new Arsenal teammates?
Were you nervous?
Rami: Of course I think that it
was a huge thing to meet all the stars but in the end
of the day they are just human beings like everybody
else. I wasn't nervous but shy, that's just the way
i'm.
Zamalkawy_Kebir: How do you communicate
with French speaking players & staff like Arsene
Wenger, Patrick Vieira, Henry and the rest?
Rami: The communication with my
teammates is not a problem because they all speak English.
Zamalkawy_Kebir: Do you fast during
Ramadan, and do you fast when you play games?
Rami: I spoke to Kolo Toure about
that because he is a Muslim too. He said that the day
before and the day we have a game we eat but after Ramadan
we will fast more days.
Zamalkawy_Kebir: Who are your closest
teammates in Arsenal ?
Rami: Freddie Ljungberg, Gilberto
Silva and Giovannie Bronchorst.
Questions from salbota2002:
salbota2002: Do you think Egypt
can qualify to World Cup 2006?
Rami: They have a good chance and
if they keep having a good youth org. The chances will
even get better.
Questions from shefo12:
shefo12: If you return to Egypt,
will you play for Zamalek?
Rami: I think so, because my grandfather
was the manager of the club before but football is a
business and that's something you have to deal with.
shefo12: Are you 'Zamalkawy' or
'Ahlawy'?
Rami: Zamalkawy.
shefo12: Who are your best Egyptian
footballer friends?
Rami: Nader El Sayed, Ousa and
Shishiny.
shefo12: Are you ready to face
Mido in the Champions League?
Rami: Of course, it will be a great
time to face him and I hope that I will have the time
to talk to him to.
shefo12: Do you know Nader El Sayed
and Essam El Hadary? What do you think of them?
Rami: I only know Nader, and I
haven't seen Essam play for many years so I can't express
my opinion in that matter. I can only say that I like
Nader as a person and as a footballer.
Questions from redfox:
redfox: Are you ready to play for the national
team at the expense of Arsenal?
Rami: That is not a issue, I don't
have to chose national team or Arsenal.
Questions from gak2002:
gak2002: Did El Gohary call you
when he was the coach of Egypt, while u were playing
in the Swedish club ?
Rami: No, he didn't.
gak2002: Did you expect to be a
famous Goalkeeper and to play at Arsenal when you were
young and playing in Ettihad Osman? Did you know that
you had potential?
Rami: No, I didn't think in that
way. When I was in Thad Osman I was very young and didn't
cope with the pressure that was on me at that moment,
that's why I didn't do well but now i'm more experienced
so it's not a problem. I developed my game very late
because I didn't see football as number one for me in
that stage.
gak2002: Do you have a web site?
Rami: No, I don't
gak2002: When is your birthday?
Rami: My birthday is 30 of June.
Questions from rivaldo2003:
rivaldo2003: Describe your feelings
during a game when you make a super save?
Rami: It's a feeling that you don't
even feel that you are landing on the pitch.
rivaldo2003: Describe your feelings
when a goal is scored in your net?
Rami: It's never nice to concede
a goal but that is football and you have to try to believe
in your self and just go on.
rivaldo2003: Who is the best goalkeeper
in your opinion?
Rami: I think there is a lot of
goalkeepers but I like Buffon and Oliver Khan.
Questions from omar basha:
omar basha: How are you getting along in the
UK?
Rami: Quit good, i'm hoping to
move to our flat in a week. The players are really nice
to me and helped me along the way. But the traffic is
very bad, I find my way better in Cairo than in London.
omar basha: Do you think Seaman
is getting too old to stay in goal?
Rami: It's not my decision to answer
that. It's all up to him if he feels that's the time
is right he will quit. At the moment he is doing well
so why quit.
Question from mezman:
mezman: Do you visit Egypt now or not?
Rami: It was a long time since
I was in Egypt (two years) ago. I used to visit Egypt
once a year but I hope to go there soon.
Question from MidoFan (From Holland):
MidoFan: Does Arsene Wenger have any kind of
goalkeepers problem?
Rami: No, I don't think so....
Questions from walidwelwel:
walidwelwel: Were you fasting in the game against
Tottenham?
Rami: No, I didn't, (the answer
on that is already done)
Questions from Tariq Hamed:
Tariq Hamed: If you fast during games, how do
you cope with tiredness and thirst while playing? In
England we break after 4 O'clock, so how or when do
you break your fast during a game?
Rami: This question has already
been answered.
Tariq Hamed: How do you find life
in London, and Where do you hang out?
Rami: I think London is a nice
city and I prefer big cities like Cairo and so I haven't
gone out in London to a club but they have a lot of
nice restaurants in a area called Hamstead, I have also
been to a restaurant that's called Pomodorro, it's located
in Knigtbridge.
Tariq Hamed: Do you find the people
friendly and have you met any Egyptians in London?
Rami: The people are all so stressed
in London, I prefer the people in Egypt.
Tariq Hamed: Do you go out with
any of the Arsenal players such as the Swedish Frederick
Ljungberg?
Rami: Yes, I have been out for
dinner with Freddie and Giovanne, Viera, Gilberto and
Edu a couple of times.
Tariq Hamed: Where in Egypt do
you come from?
Rami: When I was playing in Egypt
I had a flat in Mohandeseen.
Tariq Hamed: Who do you think has
a better national team, Egypt or Sweden?
I think the org. is better in Sweden but
the technique is better in Egypt.
Tariq Hamed: Have you considered
playing for Finland?
Rami: No, I haven't.
Questions from Mohamed nagar:
mohamed nagar: Can you tell me
a bit about your few days at Zamalek, how were the players
you played with?
Rami: I had a great time in Zamalek,
I will never forget that time, everybody were nice to
me and the spirit was good. I was 20 years and my role
models were playing there so it was nice. I liked all
the players but the one I was going out with was Nader
and Shishiny.
Questions from romeo_ah:
romeo_ah: What do you think of the English supporters
and how fanatic they are?
Rami: I think they are nice, I
think that the supporters in Egypt are more fanatic
but in a good way because they don't fight against each
other in that way that they do over here.
Questions from Ahly-Milan-Arsenal:
Ahly-Milan-Arsenal: Do you get a chance to watch
Egyptian football?
Rami: Unfortunately not, but when
i'm in Sweden I go to my friends and they have a dish
where I can see the games.
Questions from assem:
assem: What was your feeling after your first
debut with Arsenal?
Rami: I was so happy because I
had a clean sheet and that was a goal in my career.
assem: What was Seaman's opinion
on your performance in the matches that you played?
Rami: He said to me that he was
impressed and liked my calmness and so on.
Questions from moh_1st:
moh_1st: Don't you think that the
Egyptian national team needs you, and that it will prove
your nationalism to Egypt?
Rami: The Egyptian national team
need all good players and if i'm one of them then that
is the case. I also think that it will prove my nationalism.
Questions from shadyh3:
shadyh3: What is your relation
with the boss?
Rami: It's good, but I don't speak
to him that much and don't make jokes with him. I like
him a lot because he is a very intelligent man and have
a lot of respect over the world, and respect is something
that you deserve, not something you just get.
Questions from deycallmefigo:
deycallmefigo: These are weird
questions... but I think that you should see how you
get rated in video games like FIFA 2003. Fortunately,
you're the substitute for seaman, but your rating in
that game is much lower. They also made you look very
black!! Do you pay attention to these things?
Rami: No, I don't but I have heard
about that, i'm not much for those games but may be
when my son gets older I will, you never know...
Questions from drabdella:
drabdella: To what extent are you affected by
the long periods you have lived in European countries?
Rami: I would lie if i'm saying
that it has not effected me, of course it have, but
I think I have coped with that very well. I feel so
strong when i'm saying no to a beer because i'm Muslim,
I have seen so much Muslims drink and eat pork, I think
that's wrong but i'm not the one who judge them.
Questions from hambazaza:
hambazaza: In the BBC website, you were referred
to as the "Swede Goalkeeper" do you ever mention
to the press in England that you are both Swede and
Egyptian? And if so, why do you think they leave out
the Egyptian part?
Rami: I always say that i'm an
Egyptian and Swedish, but I haven't taken any notice
about that they leave that part, it must be a coincidence
I think. I have seen in the papers that they write that
i'm an Egyptian too.
hambazaza: Does your family currently
live in Egypt, Sweden, or London with you? And if so,
when is the last time that you came to Egypt?
Rami: My father is living in Egypt,
my mother is living in Sweden with my sister. My wife
and son went to Sweden today but are coming back in
two weeks in Sha'Allah.
Questions from Ahmed 'Reou:
Ahmed 'Reou: Do you follow the Egyptian national
league?
Rami: I'm trying to, but I haven't
recently, not because it's Egypt, because I have had
so much to do over here.
Questions from DIF_Brud (Swedish):
DIF_Brud: You started as 2nd keeper this season
in Djurgården, did you ever thought that a professional
club would sign you then? And how did you react when
you got signed by Arsenal?
Rami: I never realized that I
was going to one of the biggest clubs in the world beginning
of the season but I think that what is happened has
a meaning and now it's up to me to take the chance.
I was very happy that Arsenal signed me but no I can't
just sit here and be satisfied, I have to put new goals
to improve my skills.
DIF_Brud: When Arsenal signed
you, did you ever thought you would be guarding the
net in the game? (vs. Tottenham) (By the way did you
know that you're the 4th Swede 2 play in Arsenal v.
Tottenham?)
Rami: I knew that I was going
to play some games the first year because we have so
many games during a season, we play champions league,
FA cup, Worlington Cup and the Premiere Ship, but I
never thought that it will go all so fast for me.
DIF_Brud: How much difference
is it playing in London and Arsenal then Stockholm and
Djurgården?
Rami: It's quite the same, Djurgarden
is a big club in Sweden and so are Arsenal in London.
Of course it's a big difference but the way we play
is almost the same in Sweden, we try to have the ball
as much as possible on the pitch and not kick so many
long balls.
DIF_Brud: Who's your "best"
friend in the team? Or who are the ones you spend most
time with? (heard that you're eating breakfast with
Tottenham player Robbie Keane...)
Rami: That's right, Robbie Keane
is staying at the same hotel and we use to eat breakfast
together, so do I with Gilberto Silva too.
Questions from Heema's biggest fan
ever:
Heema's biggest fan ever: The choice of national
team in the end is up to you of course, but please think
of this point carefully. I know that you are a religious
man and think about Allah being pleased with you. You
believe that he helps you in matches, so you read Quran
before games. And you know that even 'albasmatu fee
wajh akheeka sadaqah'. So would you not prefer to get
the thawab of making 70 million Muslims happy? Imagine
your reward for this when they see you making a save
in an Egypt jersey and all smile and cheer, forgetting
about all their troubles for that one moment. I wish
you all the best whichever path you choose to take.
Rami: I agree with you fully and
I hope it was that easy for me to. I have alot to thank
Allah and my religion and if I can make 70 million people
happy that is a great achievement. I don't want to make
this a religious thing because this is a hobby for me
and it's not on life or death, that has always been
my belief in football and that's may be why I have come
so far in my career. There is so many people that have
not enough food on the table and i'm more concerned
about them and help them, don't misunderstand me i'm
just trying to make people happy!
Everybody's questions:
Are you going to play for Sweden or Egypt? When will
you make up your mind? Which country do you believe
you belong to?
It's sound boring but I have to say I
don't know today, that's why I sent a fax to the National
Team of Egypt that I need six months to think about
it. What ever I choose someone will not agree with me
but that's something I have to live with, I don't see
this as a problem for me, I know that a lot of people
would loved to be in my position to have the fortune
to choose which country he or she wants to represent.
In the end of the day the main thing is that as many
people are happy and love each other.
I want to finish my thoughts with saying:
"I'm very honored that so many people wants to
question me about the most things. I saw that some people
wrote very rude things about me and that don't make
the thing better but it's up to them to have that anger
inside them, they are the losers not me. I don't loose
my energy in things that I can't interfere, I see that
as a lot of wasting of time.
I don't want people to think that i'm an arrogant prick
that wants the people to beg me to play for Egypt or
Sweden, that's not the case, I hope you all understand
that. I know that the people who knows me know that
and that is the main thing for me. Any way i'm very
happy and honored that I got so many questions and it
will be a honor for me to present a National team, if
it's Sweden or Misr you have to wait to see. I never
thought this matter will be so big but it's very nice
too".
Rami Shaaban, Arsenal FC.
Disclaimer:
This interview is an EXCLUSIVE for EgyptianPlayers.com.
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