Day One. Preparing To Big Load

Lokomotiv are into Day 1 of their mid-season training camp in Walchsee, Austria - just off the German border.

The team arrived in the afternoon. Now that the internationals are back from their vacations, the family reunion is here, and everyone is sharing their experience. Defender Vitaliy Denisov had a lot to tell - the Uzbek international played away in North Korea and what he saw there impressed him, like the cults of the leaders, isolation from the world, and the cultural peculiarities of the North Korean society. The teammates kept asking him about the details of life in North Korea. Unfortunately, Vitaliy brought no souvenirs.

The players welcomed the newbie Alexander Kolomeytsev. You always feel awkward on the first day with new people and new routine to get used to. But Alexander’s open-mindedness helped him make friends very quickly. When the midfielder got his own new kit he immediately felt like at home.

Walchsee is famous for its wonderful lake. The hotel the team are staying at is located in a picturesque valley. Even in the hot sun you can breath easily.

The practice was conditioning but nevertheless very intensive.

- Day 1 always involves a trip and a late training which is meant to adapt the body, - says Loko’s fitness coach Andrey Dmitriev. - We did a short cross-country race, did exercises for coordination to prepare every athlete’s body for future load.

- But the players started working at different time.

- Yes, and their current level is uneven. The internationals are just starting to work actively, while the group of players who have been training since June 17 look better. But we’ll level their form, they will be okay.

- What’s your strategic goal?

- To establish good understanding, of course. We are to play in two friendlies, besides we have extensive training sessions to do it.