West Ham United were having anything but a day of rest on Sunday although the players were given full chance to recover from the exertions against VfL Borussia Monchengladbach.
The squad were split into two groups with the focus on regeneration work. While one group stretched in the swimming pool, the other half were in the gym for light work on the bikes and treadmills. They then swapped places as the morning progressed. Meanwhile, new recruit Frederic Piquionne was put through his paces out on the training pitch.
The France striker, who had a watching brief for Saturday's 2-0 defeat of Monchengladbach in Ruhpolding, was accompanied by Scott Parker and Alessandro Diamanti and others who had limited game time in the match. There was light relief with the cooler temperatures, though. The previous night's rain had disappeared but the sky was still overcast as Paul Groves and Kevin Keen worked.
Manager Avram Grant has been delighted with the work so far during an eight-day training camp that will culminate with a fixture against Greek title-winners and UEFA Champions League contenders Panathinaikos on Friday. The positive peaceful surrounds on the German-Austrian border have been matched by the morale of a squad that has been in high spirits since arriving.
He said: "The facilities are good. The place is very nice but we came here to train for football and we hope to have a good eight days. The players have a lot of passion and there is a good atmosphere.
"It is good to have Scott back with us. He is a great person and player. We need him and the other players that will come next week from their national teams and also the new signings. We are trying to mix between experienced players and the young talented players."
Talking of new signings, Piquionne's presence has been welcomed by all while everyone is waiting to meet Mexico attacker Pablo Barrera. Grant said fans could look forward to some inventive play from the new men.
"Barera is a winger, a creative player who knows how to play well from the side. He has good crossing, good dribbling and is quick. He is a player who can play well for us. Freddie has scored in important games, he is good and quick as well. He is good with his head and it is great to have another striker."
Later on Sunday, the squad will take part in a team-building activity away from the hotel before many may choose to watch Frank Nouble in action for England against Austria at the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. The match, the Young Lions' first of this summer's finals, will be broadcast live on Eurosport this evening.
