German ski star and World Cup ambassador rode in the team bus to Lillehammer / Spacious sports complex a challenge
One of them didn't actually fit into the picture, but was immediately welcomed like a teammate: When he arrived in Oslo, ski star Felix Neureuther suddenly found himself standing at the baggage carousel with the German national ice hockey team, waiting for his suitcases in order to have a few days off near Lillehammer.
The man from Garmisch was quickly invited by his friend from school, Marcus Kink, and national coach Marco Sturm to take part in the two-hour bus tour to the site of the 1994 Olympic Games and then thanked him warmly for the “ride.” The official World Cup ambassador, already a big ice hockey playerFan, announced that it would support the German team live on site at at least one of the two Norway tests on Thursday and Saturday.
Meanwhile, the national team completed its first session of the evening. 26 players, including debutants Pascal Zerressen (Kölner Haie), Maxi Kammerer (Düsseldorfer EG); Jakob Mayenschein (EHC Red Bull München) and Frederik Tiffels (Western Michigan University/NCAA) were heavily involved. Of course, the “rookies” had to collect the targets at the end of training. It's just like that. “It was a good first session,” said Sturm.
The extensive sports complex in Lillehammer, including football pitches, a multi-purpose hall and two ice rinks, is also a logistical challenge for everyone. Since the main ice rink still needs to be prepared, the national team trains in the small ice rink next door. This means a walk of around 100 metres. The supervisors Sascha Engel and Marco Nachrichter in particular have their hands full moving the extensive equipment from A to B.
There are further sessions on the program today, tomorrow and Thursday before the first game of the Euro Hockey Challenge. Fitness trainer Johannes Egelseer ensures that everyone works hard off the ice. After dinner we look towards Germany. Game six of the DEL playoff semifinals between the Grizzlys Wolfsburg and the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers, most of the cracks can't be missed.