{"id":27126,"date":"2014-06-24T14:52:52","date_gmt":"2014-06-24T14:52:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/?p=27126"},"modified":"2014-06-24T14:52:52","modified_gmt":"2014-06-24T14:52:52","slug":"germans-train-for-usa-with-a-rugby-ball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2014\/06\/germans-train-for-usa-with-a-rugby-ball\/","title":{"rendered":"Germans train for USA with a rugby ball"},"content":{"rendered":"

Germany’s World Cup squad found a novel way to prepare for their final group game against the USA, by training with a rugby ball.<\/p>\n

Premier League stars Andre Schurrle and Lukas Podolski were at the heart of the action, while Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil seemed less comfortable with the oval-shaped ball.<\/p>\n

The squad looked relaxed and they threw and kicked the rugby ball around, with coach Joachim Low showing off his skills and Podolski practicing his volleying tecnique.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
\"Eye<\/div>\n

Eye on the ball: Lukas Podolski demonstrated that he can strike a ball with his left foot, whatever the shape<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
\"Straight<\/div>\n

Straight through: Mesut Ozil didn’t show quite the same ability with the rugby ball as he does with a round ball<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Germany need just a point against the USA on Thursday to ensure that they top Group G, and even a defeat would leave them likely to progress, barring a huge swing in goal difference.<\/p>\n

International teams preparing by playing other sports is not an entirely new phenomenon – Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath famously injured his ankle playing touch rugby before a Test Match in 2005.<\/p>\n

Luckily for Low and his squad however, the team seemed to come through without any mishaps, and will be keen to seal their last-16 place on Thursday.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
\"Sun's<\/div>\n

Sun’s out, guns out: Podolski and Julian Draxler show off their muscles during a relaxed session<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
\"Skills:<\/div>\n

Skills: Coach Joachim Low juggles a rugby ball as the German squad enjoy their session<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
\"Elbows:<\/div>\n

Elbows: Cristoph Kramer takes an elbow in the face from Kevin Grosskreutz as they compete for the ball<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
\"On<\/div>\n

On their way: Germany need only a point to progress after beating Portugal and drawing with Ghana<\/p>\n

–<\/p>\n

Source: Dailymail<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Germany’s World Cup squad found a novel way to prepare for their final group game against the USA, by training with a rugby ball. Premier League stars Andre Schurrle and Lukas Podolski were at the heart of the action, while Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil seemed less comfortable with the oval-shaped ball. The squad looked relaxed and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":27135,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[115,29,3],"yoast_head":"\nGermans train for USA with a rugby ball - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. 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