#B04inAustria - Day 2: Happy ending for Sam Schreck

The skies did gradually clear and hopes of summer weather rose. The Bayer 04 group set off for the morning training session in the Alois Latini Stadium in a pleasant temperature of 20 degrees.

Bernd, Rambo, Lombo in action

Around 150 fans found their way to the training ground in Zell am See. They witnessed an intensive session with a range of passing drills and moves – energetically accompanied and inspired by head coach Heiko Herrlich and his team. The required sharpness was evident in the following competition between the players: It was a tournament played on half the pitch. It was all about goals. And, above all, it was fast. Back and to all the time. And the three goalkeepers, Bernd Leno, Rambo Özcan and Niklas Lomb had plenty of opportunities to demonstrate their skills. The winners were decided in the final by a penalty shootout.

Penalty misery for Sam Schreck

Sam Schreck had the last laugh: His cheeky effort to chip the ball over Bernd Leno ended up going over the bar. Fortunately– from his point of view – Heiko Herrlich had not blown his whistle so he had another chance. This time he lived up to his name – with a shot that went wide of the target. His fellow players gloated. However, his team-mates and, in particular Lomb, protected him from a worse fate. First, he blocked an effort from shot-stopper Bernd Leno before putting away the decider that unleashed celebration amongst his team-mates Julian Baumgartlinger, Kevin Kampl, Joel Pohjanpalo and Wendell. And the winners were duly photographed.

The call of the mountains

The intensive day of training continued for the Werkself with a serious running session in the afternoon. Led by 'mountain guide' Schahriar Bigdeli, the Werkself weaved their way through forest paths like a red snake. The quest: mountain runs. A herd of cows were unable to put off a Stefan Kießling, Jonathan Tah and Kevin Volland. It was up the mountains. At great tempo. Encouraged by the coaches. Stamina in Austrian but with fun too.

Kickabout with Rudi and Stefan

While the players worked on strength, fitness and pace, part of the Bayer 04 group used the time and weather for a spontaneous one-hour kickabout. This included sporting director Rudi Völler, sporting manager Jonas Boldt and his assistant Lennart Coerdt, press officer Dirk Mesch, the Werkself legend Hans-Peter Lehnhoff as well as visitor to the training camp Stephan Reinartz.

Contract extension with Salzburger Land

In the evening, the whole Werkself group attended a sponsors' event at the casino in Zell am See. The Bayer 04 partner SalzburgerLand Tourismus GmbH sent out the invitations to this idyllic venue with a view of the mountains. For a good reason, as there were two things to celebrate: First, the partnership is now five years old and agreement reached to extend the cooperation for another two years. There was also a happy ending for Sam Schreck: He was the only one to put the ball in a goal-like wheel. That enabled him to overcome his mishap in training.

Visitors join the Bayer 04 family

After the players had retired to their rooms, three other notable visitors arrived at the Werkself HQ. Around 22.15, Germany sporting director Oliver Bierhoff, Germany assistant coach Marcus Sorg and DFB representative Thomas Beheshti arrived at the team hotel Tauern Spa.

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