Borderline Experience for Nati Players: Nati Commander Grings: “We Want to Light a Fire”

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For once there is no football training on the agenda when the national team leaves for Estavayer-le-Lac FR on Tuesday. The focus is on team building, where the 25 players and the staff hold a fire drill with the battalion of the Sapeurs-Pompiers de la Broye. Block, save, extinguish, instead of passing, shoot and run.

Divided into three groups, the stars of the national team are instructed by the fire brigade and prepared for their task. Then the handling of water hoses, gas masks and cutting tools is practiced for the final exercise. The assignment: save the victims of a simulated car accident. The cooperation between the traffic, fire and rescue services must run smoothly. Teamwork is required. The successful afternoon will be concluded with a shared dinner.

Sweating and panting under the protective mask

Nati’s players are clearly having fun. “It was an exciting day, we sweated a lot,” says Géraldine Reuteler (24). Like Reuteler, Luana Bühler (27) is one of the group leaders who wear a red helmet and have to coordinate their people. “Fitting a defense is easier,” says the Swiss defense chief with a laugh.

Also physically one or the other player will reach his limits. “If you walk up a flight of stairs with an oxygen mask in full gear and 15 kilos on your back, you really start to pant,” says Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (32). And this at summer temperatures. “It was interesting to look behind the scenes. Hats off to the fire department. They do a great job,” said the record player. Would that be a post-football job? “If they need volunteers, why not?”

Lighting the fire and pushing boundaries

The exercise was devised by national coach Inka Grings (44) and team manager Caroline Abbé (35). “The cohesion within a fire unit is fascinating,” says Grings. “Everyone must know what to do and do their job in a disciplined way.” Not always, but often it’s a matter of life or death.

Grings also expects a functioning unity from her players at the World Cup, after all, the tournament in New Zealand and Australia must not degenerate into a fire drill. “On the contrary: we want to light a fire,” says Grings. The exciting impressions and challenges of the team event should also reverberate Down Under. “We also want to push the boundaries there,” says Grings.

Source : Blick