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Sports1. FC Köln kicks off Austria training camp with fun team-building
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1. FC Köln began their pre-season training camp in Kitzbühel, Austria, with a fun team-building session at the Schwarzsee lake. New coach René Wagner organized a mini-Olympics with stand-up paddle polo, giant Jenga, and slingshot shooting, deliberately scheduling it early to take advantage of sunny weather. Wagner actively participated, including a duel with top star Said El Mala. The session aimed to bond the squad, especially new signings Luka Lochoshvili, Paul Okon-Engstler, Reigan Heskey, and Martin James. The team will train intensively in the following days and play a test match against Hertha BSC on July 31. Köln has won pre-season friendlies against Rheinsüd (5-0) and Bergisch Gladbach (8-0).
Source report
Kitzbühel – First sweat, then swim. 1. FC Köln is preparing in Austria until the end of July (31.7.) for the new season. After the first training camp session on Saturday, the team kicked off a fun start in Kitzbühel.
While former coach Lukas Kwasniok (44) had his players jump from the 10-meter tower exactly one year ago and plunged into the water himself, successor René Wagner (38) invited the squad to a mini-Olympics at the Kitzbühel Schwarzsee and actively joined in.
Almost looks like a vacation: Said El Mala on a SUP | Photo: 1. FC Köln/Henrik Steinert
El Mala Tries Water Polo
Wagner had specifically rearranged the training camp schedule for this, deliberately scheduling the teambuilding measure right at the start. The reason: the weather is expected to worsen in the coming days, and the swimming and competition session was meant to take place under bright sunshine so the team would truly enjoy it and bond off the pitch as well. This was especially important for the already present new signings Luka Lochoshvili, Paul Okon-Engstler, Reigan Heskey, and Martin James.
Mission accomplished. In dream weather with the Kaiser Mountains and mountain panorama as a backdrop, the FC pros had to go onto the water wearing life jackets, complete various stations, and compete in stand-up paddle polo, among other things. Wagner was right in the middle of it, celebrating against his top star Said El Mala (19) in a duel. The other bathers watched in amazement. On the shore, various competitions (giant Jenga, slingshot shooting) were also underway.
El Mala as a keeper. Here he misses the ball from new signing Paul Okon-Engstler | Photo: 1. FC Köln/Henrik Steinert
Friday Against Hertha BSC
Great atmosphere in the Köln camp. Starting tomorrow (2 sessions), things will get serious on the football pitch in front of nearly 500 traveling FC fans.
"Sunday and Monday we have two tough days, then we'll ease off a bit on Tuesday," says Wagner.
Additionally, FC will play a test match against Hertha BSC on departure day (31.7.) in St. Johann. So far, Köln has won in preseason against Rheinsüd (5:0) and Bergisch Gladbach (8:0).
Source
BILD - SportWestern
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1. FC Köln Kicks Off Austria Training Camp with Fun Team-Building Activities