Thunder and lightning as Germans go through the paces

Margao: Three training sessions on, the Germans at the U-17 World Cup wear a look of contentment.

Maybe it’s the picturesque setting, like the Utorda ground on Wednesday, and the ambience of Goa that has charmed not just young minds soon to be thrust into battle but the officials chaperoning them to and fro the training grounds.

So much so that assistant coach Dennis Lamby said tongue-in-cheek, “We have to tell the players to focus on football now. That’s what we here for!”

Lamby won’t need to stress on football. The Germans looked sharp and focused during the hour-long session but were forced to beat a hasty retreat when the heavens opened amid thunder and lightning.

Build-up play was the topic of the session. And if you were looking for stars, it was difficult to spot one despite the presence of Jann-Fiete Arp, the cynosure of all eyes.

The players, split into two groups, played for each other. Regimentation and rigour, the wont of the German, will be the No.1 factor to contend with when they kick off their campaign against Costa Rica at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday.

Lamby, though, is looking forward to Thursday. “We have not seen the stadium as yet and are looking forward to seeing it tomorrow,” Lamby said while expressing satisfaction at the training venues his team has used so far.

The Germans visited Arossim beach on Sunday and conducted training sessions at Nagoa on Monday and the GMC Athletics stadium on Tuesday.

“We’ve trained a lot, walked on the beach and had a yoga session,” he elaborated.

Arriving early has had its benefits. “Acclimatisation has meant we have to make a few changes,” Lamby said.

Hydration, it appeared got due attention, given the difference in climes between Frankfurt and Goa and every sprightly session lasted 15 minutes before the players sipped water.

And it’s not over after the sun sets. The boys have a session of studies for which two teachers have travelled along.

“The boys are only 17 and we have to care about them. They are still children in some kind of way. It’s not just about football. In Germany we try to develop complete personalities. So it doesn’t stop at technique, tactics and conditions,” Lamby said.

An interesting insight into the growing up of Die Mannschaft, evidence of which is likely to unfold on Saturday.