GERMANY/FILE: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - German football association confirms that the German national team plans to set up their World Cup base at a German-built resort in Porto Seguro

Record ID: 346861

  • Title: GERMANY/FILE: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - German football association confirms that the German national team plans to set up their World Cup base at a German-built resort in Porto Seguro
  • Date: 13th December 2013
  • Summary: FRANKFURT, GERMANY (DECEMBER 13, 2013) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR HEADQUARTERS GERMAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CAMERAS TEAM MANAGER OLIVER BIERHOFF WALKING IN FOR STATEMENTS (SOUNDBITE) (German) TEAM MANAGER, OLIVER BIERHOFF, SAYING: "But we do have certain requirements, especially as far as our group is concerned, as far as the travel needs are concerned, and we have found ideal co
  • Embargoed: 28th December 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: General,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA91GLJ803MS5NBMM9MK6WBP535
  • Story Text: Germany will set up their Brazil 2014 World Cup base at a German-built resort under construction in Porto Seguro, north of Rio de Janeiro, the country's football association (DFB) said on Friday (December 13).
    Germany, bidding for their fourth World Cup title and their first international trophy since 1996, are eager to have ideal preparations in the run-up and during the month-long tournament starting in June.
    Team manager Oliver Bierhoff said that everyone saw in previous World Cups that short distances between team headquarters, training pitches and media centre are crucial for all involved.
    "But we do have certain requirements, especially as far as our group is concerned, as far as the travel needs are concerned, and we have found ideal conditions here. By the way, the second FIFA hotel which is only 15 minutes away, four other teams have applied for. You can see the attraction of the place, with a small airport that can be reached very fast," said Bierhoff.
    The "Campo Bahia" as their headquarters will be known consists of 65 rooms still under construction with a what the DFB said was a "village atmosphere" and well away from the crowded metropolitan areas of Sao Paolo and Rio.
    It is expected to be finished in March 2014.
    Bierhoff said that the hotel complex wasn't especially built for the team, but was a compound with private homes which were offered for use before they are being sold later on.
    It is also 45 minutes from the Port Seguro airport which Germany will use for their group matches to cities within two hours' flight as they are keen to avoid long trips across the vast country.
    "The atmosphere is very important, the mood during a tournament. One always said that cabin fever must be avoided at all costs. The mood in the group must be positive, and the accommodation is very important for that. If it takes you three hours to get to the airport in thick traffic, then it gets very annoying. And it tires. And that's what we want to prevent," Bierhoff added.
    The Germans have been drawn against Ghana, the United States and Portugal in Group G. They face Portugal in Salvador on June 16 before traveling to Fortaleza to face Ghana on June 21 and finishing off in Recife against the United States five days later.
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