FC St. Pauli has experienced a quirky highlight during their training camp in Austria that even professionals can’t help but smile about. Louis Oppie had to deal with another mispronunciation of his surname during the test match against HNK Gorica – this time announced as „Louis Oppije“ before sports director Andreas Bornemann stepped in to correct it. For Oppie, it’s all in a day’s work, as he revealed at the edge of the camp in Flachau.

Why Louis Oppie’s surname keeps causing confusion

„Opier, Opi, Oppi – I have no idea, people came up with some wild versions“, Oppie said with a laugh. The list of wrong pronunciations is long, but one particular mix-up stands out: „Back in Bielefeld, someone once called me Oppenheimer.“ The unusual twist even grew on him so much that it stuck with some fans and media. „At first I thought: What’s that supposed to mean? But after a while, I actually liked it.“

For Oppie, the confusion around his name has become a running joke. „You get used to it“, says the 24-year-old. Especially in Austria, where he’s currently training with the team, the situation is fresh again. Yet even here, the pronunciation quickly settled – thanks to sports director Bornemann’s intervention with the stadium announcer.

The mood in the team is „very, very good“

Apart from the small name mix-up, everything is running smoothly at the training camp. Oppie raves about the current atmosphere: „It’s rarely been this good at a training camp already.“ That includes the new signings, who have already blended in seamlessly. „They don’t feel like newcomers; they’re already part of the group as if they’d been here last year.“

Mathias Rasmussen, the new head coach, is also a major factor behind the positive vibe. „A change at this position changes everything“, Oppie explains. The Dane has brought „new momentum“ to the squad, including more game-like training sessions. „Everyone’s even more fired up than usual to go on the attack this season“, says the striker.

Play-based training over medicine balls: more fun, same intensity

Training sessions under Rasmussen are mostly game- and competition-based, Oppie notes – a clear shift from previous years. „I’m really happy about that because it’s so much more fun.“ The intensity remains just as high, but the playful approach boosts motivation. „You can see it’s not just relaxed; it’s intense too. You feel it in your legs.“

On Friday, Oppie and his teammates face a special test: against the sixth-placed team from last season’s Premier League, AFC Bournemouth. „When you see the quality of the squad, that’s a very, very high bar“, Oppie judges. The preparation for the new season is in full swing – and the mood stays upbeat.

League standing: FC St. Pauli currently sits in 3rd place in the 2. Bundesliga with 0 points.