"I didn't even know I was talking to Isaac Hayes at first, " says Stange.

CNN: Data crisis counselors help avoid computer catastrophes

Stange was dismissed from his university post, the Vikings retired to the fjords.

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Typically, Stange encourages callers to share their stories, to get it all out.

CNN: Data crisis counselors help avoid computer catastrophes

"You can either get freaked out yourself by these calls or deny that whole aspect of it and concentrate on helping people, " Stange says.

CNN: Data crisis counselors help avoid computer catastrophes

"He just sat here and waited in the office, " Stange says.

CNN: Data crisis counselors help avoid computer catastrophes

When this executive flew cross-country with the damaged hard drive, Stange says, the man strongly believed he had no job to return to if the data wasn't recovered.

CNN: Data crisis counselors help avoid computer catastrophes

Stange, meanwhile, witnessed the IT manager's cathartic sense of relief.

CNN: Data crisis counselors help avoid computer catastrophes

This is the part of the job Stange likes best.

CNN: Data crisis counselors help avoid computer catastrophes

The manner of Belarus' victory seemed to vindicate Bernd Stange's decision to axe several high-profile players, including Stuttgart star Alexander Hleb, brother Vyacheslav and BATE Borisov midfielder Igor Stasevich, as he attempts to build for the future.

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On average, Stange handles five to 10 calls per day at DriveSavers' cozy waterside office off San Francisco Bay, each of them ranging from 10 to 40 minutes in length, from people exhibiting all conceivable shades of anger, anxiety or hysteria.

CNN: Data crisis counselors help avoid computer catastrophes