Training, games and even a football quiz. FC Volendam is doing everything it can to perform better in the second half of the season than before the winter break. “This training camp is very important for the new energy, it is important that we can continue to build,” says captain Damon Mirani.
Volendam has been in Belek, Turkey, since January 2. A practice match for the reserves was scheduled for Friday against the Albanian FK Partizani 1-1. The training camp will conclude this afternoon at 1:30 PM against the Swiss FC Winterthur. Mirani looks back on the training camp with a positive feeling. “You are constantly on each other’s lips. Then you automatically build a strong bond with each other. It is nice that we can discuss matters immediately with the new trainers, a week like this is ideal for that.”
“I happened to organize a football quiz this weekend with fun ideas”
As befits a good training camp, there is also room for relaxation. Games are played between training sessions. “I happened to organize a football quiz this weekend with fun ideas. Such as: what are the record champions in the five largest European competitions or what was Ajax’s line-up against Tottenham? It was fun to make. Sonny Sier (press officer ed.) won with Achraf Douiri, Barry Lauwers and Calvin Twigt.”
Team building
Mirani emphasizes the role of team building. “In the competition there are a number of teams equal to us in terms of quality. It is important that you can make a difference as a team. You notice that you automatically grow together during such a week.”
Newcomers Luke Le Roux and Robin Maulun are close to a spot in the selection. “Le Roux is fully training with the group again and Maulun is also coming. He is in the final phase of his recovery.”
“I hadn’t heard of Winterthur before,” Mirani admits honestly. Laughing: “That would have been a good question for the quiz. We will play a draw against Almere City FC after the winter break. That pot is very important for the course of the second half of the season.”
Eighteen-year-old Mika van der Horst is attending training camp for the first time. “He is doing well and he is also developing well. It is a nice reward for that boy. We have done everything we can to make him feel at home. He is well aware of his good and weak points.”
FC Volendam will practice against the Swiss Winterthur this afternoon from 1.30 pm. The team boards a plane back to the Netherlands a day later. Almere City is the first opponent of 2024 for Volendam on Sunday.
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