The World Cup break is over: FC Hansa Rostock is training again. In preparation for the second half of the season, two eliminated professionals are returning.
Rostock (dpa/mv) - After a three-week World Cup break, second division soccer team Hansa Rostock has started preparing for the second half of the season. "In the first week we want to slowly get into the processes and gradually increase our performance," said coach Patrick Glöckner before the first running session on Monday.
The 46-year-old took over as coach at FC Hansa in early November from Jens Härtel, who was on leave. Under his direction, Rostock remained unbeaten in the last two games of the first half of the season against Nuremberg (1:1) and Braunschweig (1:0) and moved up to ninth place in the table. "I took over the team in a very fit state. You could see that in the two games. Now we're going to see if we can adjust a few things and work through a few issues," said Glöckner.
As a first personnel measure, striker Ridge Munsy and defender Thomas Meißner are returning to the team. The pros were sorted out by the then coach Jens Härtel at the end of October and were supposed to keep fit in the second team. Under Glöckner, the veterans get a new chance.
Storm talent Theo Martens, who was also suspended, has not been written off at Hansa either. "Theo isn't there at the start of training. But the door is always open for him," emphasized Glöckner. He is in close contact with the coach of the U23, Kevin Rodewald. "Sometimes it's good to take a small step back in order to move up two in the future. If his performance is right, Theo will have his chance again," said the coach.
Hansa is planning up to two sessions a day until the Christmas break on December 22nd. There is also a friendly against Bundesliga club 1. FC Union Berlin on December 14 (4:00 p.m./Stadion Alte Försterei). From January 5th to 15th, the second division team will be playing a training camp in Belek, Turkey, before the Rostock team will start the second half of the Bundesliga season at 1. FC Heidenheim on January 28th. "We want to try different things. The fine-tuning takes place in the training camp so that we are well prepared at the start," said Glöckner.
