Referring to his Italian and German roots, the Canoe Polo star joked he is “half potato, half pasta” – a mix that has shaped both his personality and his sporting journey.

Competing at The World Games Chengdu 2025 for Italy, he tries to take the best of both worlds from his Italian mother and German father.

And as far as success with the national team is concerned, there is more to it than heritage.

 

Haack explained how crucial Serie A, the highest division of the Italian club championship, is.  

“The Serie A is very important in our preparations. The coaches scout us regularly to see who is the best for the national team,” Jan Erick Haack said.

“It also helps find some young players who are capable of winning championships. It has become stronger recently and helps us a lot.  

“If you are performing well in Serie A, then you are likely to be a good fit for the national team. We have lower divisions as well.

“Sometimes, you also select other players from these leagues to see how they can fit in, but mostly it is from the Serie A because then you know you are unique and top enough to play for the national team.”

Italy has won two medals at The World Games in five appearances so far - bronze in 2013 in Cali, Colombia, before upgrading that to a silver in 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland.

Their last medal at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Polo World Championships was a bronze in 2022 in Saint-Omer, France, while also managing a third-place finish at the 2023 European Championships.

At The World Games 2025, they are on course for another podium finish, having beaten Denmark 3-1 in the semi-finals, and will face Germany in the gold medal match.  

The core group of players, plying their trade at the highest level in the club system, has been the key to their consistency, according to Haack.

But in that regard, the Italians are not alone, as he pointed to the German Bundesliga and its club culture.

Being able to play in multiple leagues is also benefitting them to study their rivals and counter accordingly.    

“I think Italy and Germany are at the top, in terms of club culture in Europe. I play in the German Bundesliga as well. So, I know all the guys from the German national team,” Haack said.

“The fact that you can play in two national leagues helps us. All you need is to get the necessary permissions.”

The cross-border exposure is also improving the overall quality of games.

“That's really good for the quality of the game. The Bundesliga is so strong because we have all the foreign players from Holland,
Denmark, and other countries playing in it,” Haack added

“You can now see the Danish guys are rocking it. It's really good. It brings the best of our sport.”