A new beginning
Posted by m on July 7, 2007
As of today, Feyenoord officially started the preparation for the next season with the first training day, traditionally a highlight for the Feyenoord legion. Over 20.000 fans have watched the first and/or second training. During both sessions the temporarily build up stands around the training field were fully packed. It was the first chance for the fans to
welcome the new players.
Andwelé Slory (Excelsior), Tim de Cler (AZ Alkmaar), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (FC Barcelona), Kevin Hofland (VfL Wolfsburg), Roy Makaay (FC Bayern München), Nuri Sahin (Borussia Dortmund) and the new manager Bert van Marwijk; all new signings were present on the first training, except for Luigi Bruins (Excelsior). The former Excelsior player will join Feyenoord July 16th, together with Ron Vlaar and Royston Drenthe. The three youngsters were part of “Jong Oranje”, winning the U21 European Championship in June by beating Serbia in the finals with a score of 4-1.
Theo Lucius led the players onto the training pitch to loud applause. New coach Bert van Marwijk brought up the rear, with his technical staff. Stadium announcer Peter Houtman took on the role of compere, presenting the players one by one and it was new arrivals Tim de Cler, Kevin Hofland, Roy Makaay and Giovanni van Bronckhorst who garnered the most enthusiastic welcome.
The sun broke trough the cloud cover now and then as the players stretched their legs in the morning session under the watchful eye of new fitness trainer Egid Kiesouw. Assistant coach Dick Voorn was the other new face.
The session was extra special for Patrick Lodewijks, who took part in training in the white and green jacket of the technical staff for the first time. The former keeper then took goalies Henk Timmer, Sherif Ekramy and Erwin Mulder to one side to work on their keeping skills.
The ball arrived after an hour or so and the players looked happy to see it again after the summer recess. The session finished up with a game in which the aim was to hold onto the ball for as long as possible. Coach Van Marwijk brought the morning to an end at around eleven thirty.
