WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The World Cup comes with global attention and yet Germany’s national team found an ideal spot to concentrate on its tasks without some of the distractions that might exist elsewhere.
The team arrived at its temporary summer home and World Cup headquarters in Winston-Salem on Monday. A few hours later, players were on the pitch at Wake Forest’s soccer stadium for a workout open to the public.
Considerable fanfare from the community greeted the Germans, but the general vibe was more of a feeling of seclusion as the squad began putting the finishing touches on preparation for its World Cup opener Sunday against Curacao at Houston.
“We want to thank this community for the hospitality that we have received from the first moment,” Bernd Neuendorf, president of the German Football Association, said during the public greeting at Spry Stadium.
Five months ago, Germany’s national team and Wake Forest finalized their partnership for the summer. The connection was forged because of the university’s high-level collegiate facilities that were viewed as ideal by German officials.
Wake Forest men’s soccer coach Bobby Muuss has been touting the benefits of having the Germany team on campus. If all goes well, Muuss said he’s ready to play tour guide through the end of July if the traveling party wants to explore the Carolinas.
“What we want to do is just be the best host that we can as a community, as an institution, as a resort, and help them hopefully be here until the end of July,” Muuss said.
Team headquarters at Graylyn Estate, a boutique hotel seen as more of a wedding venue with its castle-like stone, felt like home. Flag-waving supporters greeted the Germans upon their arrival at the 55-acre spread Monday.
Most days, the location that sits a few miles from the Wake Forest campus, will be a place for quiet for the German team.
“To know some of the world’s best players, one of the greatest nations in the world to play in the World Cup, a four-time champion, is using the same facilities, the same locker room, the same coach’s room, the same grass, that I get to call home every day, you’ve got to pinch yourself,” Muuss said.
To be sure, there’s a theme connected to Germany’s presence in the city. Signage around campus has been put in place to make the Germans feel at home.
Free tickets for the open session were gobbled up in only a few minutes last month. Players signed autographs following the initial workout before the rest of the team’s practices are closed to the public.
Germany is utilizing Smith Reynolds Airport, a small facility in Winston-Salem that generally caters to charter flights and corporate needs. It is another boost of convenience that helped make the area a preferred destination.
Temperatures this week in the Triad part of North Carolina are regularly projected to rise above 90 degrees (32.2 celsius). So German coach Julian Nagelsmann will be cognizant of the conditions and the possible heat and humidity that could greet the squad at many outdoor World Cup venues. The team’s opener Sunday will be played inside a dome.
Midfielder Assan Ouedraogo already arrived ahead of his teammates after the midfielder was added to the roster. Ouedraogo is set to replace Lennart Karl, who headed home to receive treatment following an injury Saturday in a friendly against the United States at Chicago.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was on hand for the workout in Winston-Salem after the 40-year-old dealt with a calf injury the past three weeks.
This region of North Carolina has another World Cup participant working out less than 40 miles away. Norway are set up in Greensboro at UNC Greensboro and Grandover Resort.
–Bob Sutton, Field Level Media
