Feldkirchen Day 11: Team Challenge 2011
Two parts to training
The team was split into two parts as they got underway early on. While the first part spent their time working on their strength and balance with medicine ball exercises, the other part went through a specialised parcour course that ended in a shot training. “You can tell the training camp has lasted 11 days, but the players are biting their tongues and battling through to the very end”, praised Trulsen. Meanwhile, Braafheid and Zuculini worked with fitness coach Yannick Obenauer as they continue to recover from their respective injuries and Obasi, Jaissle and Johnson were on their bikes with Christof Elser as they rode along the Danube.
Third part of the team challenge
The competitive spirit returned later in the day when they continued with their team challenges. “Stani” had set out exercises centred on four disciplines. It began with two questions in which the players were asked to estimate the total weight and age of the training staff. Task two tested the player's endurance, as they were required to select one member of their team to hang from the crossbar for as long as they could. Lightweight Jukka Raitala comfortably saw off his competition, while praise was reserved for Sven Schipplock who, despite having an injured hand, took second place for his team. Task three focused on their balance as they had to hold a tray with two glasses of water whilst using the balance board and trying to spill as little water as possible. Andreas Ibertsberger used his home advantage winning the challenge, with Obasi in just behind him. The final task tested the player's orientation, teamwork and agility. With blindfolds over the eyes and spoon full of apricots, they players had to listen to their teammates instructions as they were guided through a simple obstacle course. Roberto Firmino was the first player over the finish line and celebrated with his teammates at the end as the team challenge 2011 was brought to an end.