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Sports1. FC Köln kicks off Austria training camp with fun team-building activities
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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 head coach René Wagner organized a mini-Olympics featuring stand-up paddle polo, giant Jenga, and slingshot shooting, deliberately scheduling it early in the camp to take advantage of good weather. Wagner actively participated, even competing against star player Said El Mala. The session aimed to bond the squad, including new signings Luka Lochoshvili, Paul Okon-Engstler, Reigan Heskey, and Martin James. The team will train seriously from Sunday with nearly 500 traveling fans expected, and will play a test match against Hertha BSC on July 31st. Köln has already 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 (31st) for the new season and, after the first training camp session on Saturday, kicked off a fun start in Kitzbühel.
While former coach Lukas Kwasniok (44) had his players jump from the 10-meter tower exactly a year ago and also plunged into the water himself, successor René Wagner (38) invited the team 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 activity right at the start because the weather is expected to worsen in the coming days. The swimming and competition session was meant to take place under bright sunshine so the team would genuinely enjoy it and bond off the pitch as well. This was especially important for the new arrivals already present: Luka Lochoshvili, Paul Okon-Engstler, Reigan Heskey, and Martin James.
Mission accomplished. In dream weather with the Kaiser Mountains as a backdrop and mountain panorama, 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, on departure day (July 31st), FC will play a test match against Hertha BSC 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