Day 1 blog: Barista course and golf to relax before work | Training camp in Weimarer Land

+++ 20:58: First day draws to a close +++

After dinner, things have now quieted down at the Spa & GolfResort. While some players have already gone to their rooms, a small group including Ibrahim Maza and others has gathered for a few rounds of UNO. But for now, we’ll say goodbye and wish everyone a good night. Tomorrow, Monday, the first practice session of the training camp will take place, among other things. We’ll be back then!

+++ 18:32: Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes in fan talk +++

In the late afternoon, the Bayer 04 management team held its traditional fan meet & greet. CEO Fernando Carro and managing director sport Simon Rolfes answered questions from the fans who had travelled to the event. Want to know exactly what topics the two discussed - and why a phone call briefly interrupted the casual Q&A session? Click below for the full round-up!

THE ARTICLE

+++ 16:44: Quartett in barista taster course +++

The Werkself squad’s leisure activities on this training-free Sunday continue to be eventful. And the rule is: whether it’s golf or coffee, perfection is required in both disciplines! So Jonas Hofmann and the gang, who - as mentioned earlier - had already played a few holes that morning just outside the team hotel, joined Robert Andrich, Mark Flekken and Janis Blaswich for a barista course in the afternoon to achieve yet another level of perfection.

Among other things, the quartet honed their skills on the optimal amount of beans, the ideal grind, and the perfect brewing time for coffee. The four also tried their hand at another supreme discipline: milk frothing. Naturally, the quartet returned the favour afterwards and quickly arranged a spontaneous gift: a signed jersey, which they presented to the barista at the end.

+++ 14:52: More players with golf clubs in their hand +++

In the afternoon, a few more Werkself stars hopped into the golf carts. After lunch, Malik Tillman and Ibrahim Maza took advantage of the time and headed to the course. Although they were a bit less professionally equipped than Hofmann, Garcia and the others had been just a few hours earlier, the duo showed just as much passion and fun swinging the clubs.

+++ 13:03: Rolfes: Conditions 'exceptionally good' +++

Also this morning, managing director sport Simon Rolfes took time to speak with the media representatives in attendance. Among other things, the discussion focused on the goals for the new season. The 44-year-old said: “On the one hand, we obviously want to be successful, but on the other hand, we also want to bring passion, enthusiasm and simply the joy of football onto the field. To achieve this, it’s also important to share a common spirit with the fans in the stadium - they should feel that the team is giving it their all to win. The BayArena has very often played a very special role in this regard over the past few years. The team is working hard to make that happen.” Head coach Carles Martínez plays a central role in this, Rolfes continued: “He embodies this passion and joy for the game. He wants to make the team and the players better every day and create a strong, tight unit.”

Following his media round, Rolfes spoke to bayer04.de about his first impressions of the facilities at this year's training camp. Rolfes on…

… the conditions: "The quality of the pitches is excellent, as are the immediately adjacent facilities, including the athletic training room and the meeting room. On top of that, the hotel is really great: good food, nice rooms and a peaceful atmosphere for relaxation. This helps the group bond even more. The overall conditions are exceptionally good."

… the day off for the team on Sunday: "Of course, we also want to use the free day to strengthen the togetherness in the group. They can go to the wellness area, which is top-quality, play golf and do many other things. What pleases me is that they're using the day together with their team-mates, which is a great sign." 

… the week ahead, along with many fans from the region: "We have a lot of fans in this corner of the world. Bernd Schneider [honorary captain of Bayer 04] is certainly a big factor in that - he's one of the football legends from this region. We're now happy to come into contact with the fans from here too."

+++ 12:11: Garcia, Hofmann and Co on the golf course +++

A small group of players used the free morning for a round of golf. In gorgeous weather and even better spirits, Janis Blaswich, Niklas Lomb, Aleix Garcia and Jonas Hofmann battled it out on the green - under the watchful eyes of Mark Flekken and Robert Andrich, who paid their colleagues a visit on the golf cart.

+++ 10:02: The squad for the training camp +++

To start your Sunday, here's the full list of players who have travelled:

• Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken, Janis Blaswich, Niklas Lomb, Simeon Rapsch (U19, arriving Sunday evening)
• Defenders: Loïc Badé, Edmond Tapsoba, Arthur, Tim Oermann, Axel Tape, Lucas Vázquez, Jeanuel Belocian
• Midfielders: Ezequiel Fernández, Jonas Hofmann, Robert Andrich, Malik Tillman, Aleix Garcia, Ibrahim Maza, Montrell Culbreath
• Forwards: Martin Terrier, Patrik Schick, Ernest Poku, Victor Boniface, Nathan Tella, Christian Kofane, Farid Alfa-Ruprecht, Afonso Moreira

+++ 9:04: Good morning from Blankenhain! +++

When the sun rose over the neighbouring forests this morning, a few patches of cloud still hung over Blankenhain and the team’s hotel, the Spa & GolfResort Weimarer Land. The sky has since cleared, and things are looking good for the first day of training camp. For the Werkself, the morning begins with a group breakfast.

Afterwards, the players have the day to themselves to unwind following yesterday’s friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen in Leverkusen and in anticipation of the intensive days ahead at training camp with numerous sessions. What do the guys have planned? You’ll find out here later!