No footballer enjoys training camp because of the high workload. But this hard work is uncommon for Werder goalkeeper Tim Wiese. Besides the daily team training, the keeper is also working intensively on his fitness in individual workouts and has now lost 14 kilos.

"I started losing weight because of my problems with the patella tendon," recalls Wiese. "It did me a lot of good so I kept on working on it." The Green-White keeper weighed 100 kilos about a year ago. Since then he has changed quite a bit in his life. "I did a lot for myself in the summer. I ran for an hour even before training."

And the results of the extra shifts are evident as Wiese now weighs just 86 kilos and seems more fleet-footed because of it. "I really feel great. I have moved into Werder's top running group. And my values have really developed quite well," says Wiese.

And the keeper's deserved reward came in November 2008. After a number of nominations by German national team coach for diverse DFB camps and his first appearance in the second half of Oliver Kahn's farewell game on 2 September 2008, Wiese celebrated his official international debut on 19 November 2008 in the prestigious showdown against England. "It was a successful year for me in the national team. I was on hand for all the camps and my training and performances were very good. And I was told that I had solidified my standing. So it couldn't get any better," said Wiese radiant with joy.