Germany bets on a discreet and distraction-free location for the World Cup

The World Cup attracts global attention, and yet the German team has found the ideal place to concentrate on its tasks, without some of the distractions that might exist elsewhere.

The team arrived Monday at its temporary summer headquarters and World Cup training center in Winston-Salem. A few hours later, the players were on the lawn at Wake Forest's football stadium for a practice open to the public.

The community welcomed the Germans with great enthusiasm, but the general atmosphere was somewhat isolated as the team put the final touches in preparation for their World Cup debut on Sunday against Curaçao in Houston.

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"We want to thank this community for the hospitality we have received from the very beginning," said Bernd Neuendorf, president of the German Football Association, during the public reception at the Spry Stadium.

Five months ago, the German team and Wake Forest University finalized their partnership for the summer. The connection was made due to the university's top-notch academic facilities, considered ideal by German authorities.

Wake Forest men's soccer coach Bobby Muuss has highlighted the benefits of having the German national team on campus. If all goes well, Muuss said he is ready to serve as a tour guide until the end of July if the delegation wants to explore the Carolinas.

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"What we want to do is be the best hosts possible as a community, as an institution, as a resort, and help them, hopefully, stay here until the end of July," Muuss said.

The team's headquarters at Graylyn Estate, a boutique hotel considered more of a wedding venue with its castle-like stone architecture, had a welcoming feel. Fans waving flags welcomed the Germans upon their arrival at the 22-hectare property on Monday (8).

On most days, the location, located just a few miles from the Wake Forest campus, will be a place of tranquility for the German team.

"Knowing that some of the best players in the world, from one of the greatest teams in the world to compete in the World Cup, a four-time champion, use the same facilities, the same dressing room, the same coach's room, the same pitch, that I have the opportunity to call home every day, is something you have to pinch yourself for," said Muuss.

Undoubtedly, there is a theme related to the German presence in the city. Signage has been installed throughout the campus to make Germans feel at home.

Free tickets for the open session sold out within minutes last month. Players signed autographs after the initial practice, before the rest of the team's practices were closed to the public.

Germany is using Smith Reynolds Airport, a small facility in Winston-Salem that generally serves charter flights and corporate needs. It is yet another convenience factor that has contributed to making the region a preferred destination.

Temperatures forecast for this week in the Triad region of North Carolina are expected to exceed 32.2 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit).

Therefore, German coach Julian Nagelsmann will be aware of the weather conditions and the possible heat and humidity that the team may face in many World Cup stadiums. The team's debut, on Sunday, will be played in an indoor stadium.

Midfielder Assan Ouedraogo arrived before his other teammates after being added to the squad list. Ouedraogo is expected to replace Lennart Karl, who returned home to receive treatment following an injury suffered on Saturday in a friendly against the United States in Chicago.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was present at training in Winston-Salem after the 40-year-old had been dealing with a calf injury for the past three weeks.

This region of North Carolina has another World Cup participant training less than 40 miles away.

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Source: CNN