The 2015/16 season is underway! The Green-Whites kicked off their pre-season training on Wednesday morning, with the obligatory lactate test. Among those training were new signings Anthony Ujah, Felix Wiedwald and Ulisses Garcia, who all met their new teammates for the first time. Several players including, Raphael Wolf, Santiago Garcia, Michael Zetterer and Özkan Yildirim were missing from the opening session due to ongoing injury problems, whilst Jannik Vestergaard, Zlatko Junuzovic, Izet Hajrovic, Theodor Gebre Selassie and Levin Öztunali are all on an extended break having recently played international matches.

"I'm very happy to finally get going. I came to Bremen a few days before training started to start looking for somewhere to live and I am pleased to finally be able to start", told Anthony Ujah, who also shared his positive first impressions: "Everyone is very friendly and have really taken me in well, be they fans or teammates. That was very important to me. The facilities here are also very, very good. My first impressions are good."

WERDER.DE has given an overview of how the first day back in training went for the likes of Fritz, Bartels and Co. All times are CEST.

8:37: Squad meets at the Weser-Stadion.

Leading by example, captain Clemens Fritz was one of the first players at the training ground at the Weser-Stadion as he made his way into the changing room. Behind him followed other first-team players, including new boys Anthony Ujah, Felix Wiedwald and Ulisses Garcia. "I'm very impressed by the atmosphere in the team and have already spoken to a few of the guys.
I'm excited for the season", said Garcia.

9:48: Kitted out. Now for the performance tests...

Werder make their way to pitch 11 to complete their lactate tests, with many fans present to see their team. Among the new faces were Oliver Hüsing and Mateo Pavlovics after returning from their loans. Those on extended break will return to training on 10th, July 2015. "That's when we will all come together, when everybody returns, including Jannik Vestergaard who has had the shortest break", explained Viktor Skripnik.

10:12: Sweating in the heat - the lactate test begins.

In five groups, the Werder players complete their lactate tests with the strong summer sun shining down on them and with the coaching staff, including manager Viktor Skripnik, watching closely.

11:14: End of the lactate test. Time for the press

The running is over and with that so is the first training session of the new season. The majority of the players followed into the dressing room, but for Clemens Fritz, Franco Di Santo, Anthony Ujah and Felix Wiedwald, it was time to speak with the press at the Weser-Stadion's mixed zone. "We're happy to be training again. The next few days will definitely be intense, but we want to make real progress in Neuruppin. The heat probably won't play that much of a role, we can deal with it. And with such nice weather you're more likely to want to be outside anyway", explained the Werder captain.

12:30: The first press conference of the new season

Manager Viktor Skripnik and sporting director Thomas Eichin answered the questions of the various journalists present. They spoke of excitement, players, goals and much more. "Even on holiday there are one or two struggles. Unfortunately I lost mine with my weight, I don't have a coach you see", joked Skripnik.