The Werder bus set off just after 18:00 CEST and later arrived at their idyllic hotel, where they will spend the next eight days for their training camp in Austria. Over 100 fans were there to greet the Green-Whites on their arrival. “It really was fantastic to see the backdrop whilst we were travelling and then to get such a warm reception from the fans,” said a delighted Alexander Nouri.
It is Nouri’s first summer training camp as head coach but not his first time there with Werder. “I have already had the pleasure of being here once as part of the coaching stuff under Robin Dutt,” Nouri said, who also praised the outstanding facilities the resort has to offer. “The hotel is great. I’m sure that we will have everything we need here. I was also able to speak with our greenkeeper, who ensured me that the pitch is in excellent condition.”
The journey through the Austrian Alps is a known tradition to be taken by Werder. It is the sixth time in a row that SVW have been to this tourist area to prepare for the coming season. “We have always felt very comfortable here which is why we are really excited about what the next few days will hold,” explained Frank Baumann.
Temperatures reached as high as 31 degrees in the sunshine on Thursday and Kruse, Delaney & co. can expect more blue skies, with the forecast looking good. But will the heat be too much? “It felt warm as soon as we got off the bus but that will not be an excuse. Our training schedule is intense. We will certainly find the right balance between hard work and regeneration. It is not about having a ridiculously jam-packed programme, but rather training sensibly,” said Nouri.
Baumann showed he was also not fussed about the hot weather. “Better than if it were to rain,” the chief executive said with a grin. He went on to add, “We have already experienced the tropical weather that you can play in for the first round of the DFB Cup. This will be perfect preparation for that.”
The team can therefore look forward to a summary and warm training camp with intense sessions but they will also have the opportunity to look around and take in the Alpine views surrounding them.
