Suzuki: - I feel free in Copenhagen

For most Copenhageners, he was a complete unknown when he arrived from the East early in the summer transfer window. Junnosuke Suzuki was brought in to strengthen a weakened Copenhagen defense ahead of a season featuring a double title defense and an exciting European campaign.

The newly capped Japanese international had many options when it came time to take the next step from his hometown club, Shonan Bellmare.

There were opportunities in leagues bigger than the Danish one, but Suzuki had no doubts.

- I really wanted to make a move, and my goal was to play for a big club like FCK is in Denmark. I was also attracted by the club’s almost electric fans. You don’t see that on the same level in Japan, Suzuki said.

After the transfer, he had a far-from-ideal start due to a lengthy injury, which delayed his debut until mid-September, when he finally made his first appearance in the cup victory against Lyngby BK.

Since then, Suzuki has been a bright spot in an FCK side that has struggled to deliver top performances and satisfying results during the autumn season. When this is written, fans have voted the new Japanese player “Man of the Match” in three consecutive home games.

He has been overwhelmed by the support from the stands.

- I’m incredibly happy to fight for FCK every weekend. I hope the fans will continue to be as passionate as they are now, Suzuki said.

These strong performances have come despite him being played in the unfamiliar role of right back during Rodrigo Huescas’ injury absence.

Jacob Neestrup has repeatedly stated that Suzuki was partly brought in to fill the void left by Kevin Diks, whose versatility across positions was lost when he moved to Germany in the summer.

And although he is not the type to bang his fist on the table, instead accepting the coach’s decisions without complaint, there is no doubt about where Suzuki prefers to play on the pitch.

- I’m happy to help the team in different positions when we have a lot of injured players. But there’s no doubt that I prefer to play centrally, so I hope I’ll get the chance to do that, Suzuki said.

Free from Japanese norms

The 22-year-old Japanese player has moved to Europe without being able to speak either Danish or English. This is evident in this interview, which is conducted with the help of Suzuki’s interpreter, Viktor Holm, who has been assigned to him on a permanent basis.

- It’s something I went into with open eyes, considering I still can’t speak the language. I work every day to improve my English, and it’s getting better and better. On the pitch, my ‘football English’ works really well. But it’s much more difficult off the pitch, says Suzuki.

The first descriptions of the club’s new defender portrayed him as a humble, modest, and downright shy young Japanese man. But can you be like that in a club full of big personalities — and is it even true?

- It’s partly true, but it has a lot to do with the system in Japan, where, as a young person, you have to respect your elders and not be too outgoing or joking around. But that has changed here, where I feel I can express myself freely and am not weighed down by norms — I just have to enjoy myself with everyone on the team, says Suzuki, before elaborating:

- I’m getting used to European culture both on and off the pitch, and I also have to get used to the free and relaxed Danish approach, which can exist despite differences in responsibility and age. I’m a big fan of this approach — things can become too strict in Japan, says Suzuki.

Billede

Tobias Jørgensen

- I’m Never Going to Eat This in Copenhagen!

As overwhelming as it can be for a Westerner to stand in the middle of Tokyo, it can be just as big an adjustment for a Japanese person trying to find their footing in a city like Copenhagen.

- I’m really looking forward to getting out and exploring the city more on my own once I’ve broken down the language barrier. So far, I’ve had to tag along a bit with the other players in the squad, Suzuki said.

Over the past two or three decades, Japanese cuisine has taken Copenhagen by storm — first with a long wave of sushi places, then poke bowls, and in recent years ramen soup has become a huge hit in the Danish capital.

But is Japanese food in Copenhagen actually any good?

- There are actually several restaurants in Copenhagen that have an authentic Japanese taste that makes me feel nostalgic and happy. That includes Selfish Sushi on Elmegade, Restaurant Tokyo on Vesterbrogade, and Bento near Halmtorvet, Suzuki said.

There is, however, one thing he would never consider eating in Denmark — or anywhere outside Japan:

- I love ramen, but I would never eat “overseas ramen.” No, just no, Suzuki said.

And then the controversial topic:

How about Danish cuisine?

- I still haven’t really figured out what Danish food actually is. Of course, there’s smørrebrød, but I have to admit I’m not a big fan of rye bread. I eat quite a lot of salmon, but I’m not sure if you can really call that Danish food, Junnosuke Suzuki said.