Monday morning started with an unusual training session for the Werder players. Instead of taking to the football pitch, head coach Robin Dutt had his team go to the swimming pool. That was where the first part of the in-team triathlon took place, which saw Sebastian Prödl, Alejando Galvez and Co. compete in four teams during their stay in Zillertal.

"This is a competition with which we want to add some variety and fun and still work on ourselves physically," said Dutt about the unusual measure. "It's about the guys pushing one another, using tactics and doing something other than playing football," said the coach.

"Of course it's an entirely different strain for us, but it was really fun," said new acquisition Izet Hajrovic. Nils Petersen added: "It was a nice competition because you don't know your teammates like that. It's also not easy to estimate your own performance. We probably all underestimated the strain of the swimming. Still, I think we did a good job."

Battling until the last stroke

According to Dutt, Richard Strebinger and Theodor Gebre Selassie really stood out in the cool water. "Richard had a good style and it also looked pretty good with Theo. There were a few who could do it well," said the coach. And of course they fought until the final second. Dutt saw these positive experiences with other clubs as well. "I traditionally do that in the second year. I have seen almost everything. The most curious things happen and afterwards you have a lot to discuss. And that's what it's about."