After two days of solid driving, you might forgive me for feeling a little weary at the start of the day, especially rising at 6AM on a Sunday!
Psychologically, at this early stage of the trip, our body clocks still thought of it as 5AM. The early rise time was for a 2.1 mile jog - or bike in my case - around the lake. That particular exercise served it's purpose, with most returning wide awake after the early exertion.Following breakfast, the Iron players took on their first full training session since arriving in Obertraun which included forward play, defensive work and finding space. The ninety minute session in heat of around 28 degrees set the squad nicely up for lunch.
A few images from this morning's training session, with a full gallery to follow later. 🇦🇹
— Scunthorpe United FC (@SUFCOfficial)July 10, 2016
That meal was then followed by a second session at 4:30PM after a couple of hours recovery. The second session saw the intensity rise once more, along with the heat with the highs reaching around 33 degrees at the evening drew in. The squad split into three groups for part of the second session. Iron manager Graham Alexander took the strikers and goalkeepers for a finishing exercise, the midfielders worked with Nick Daws while the defenders moved to a different pitch nearby to work on aerial clearances and other important aspects of their play.
The groups then rejoined for the latter stage of the second session, with teams decided for a 3v3 high tempo set of mini matches lasting just sixty seconds each. The competitive nature of football saw this turn into a tournament, with the best ranked team after all the matches declared the winners.
📷 More images from this evening's training session. More will follow later this evening. 🇦🇹
— Scunthorpe United FC (@SUFCOfficial)July 10, 2016
Following the conclusion of that session, the players headed for the gym for an injury prevention session before having a quick dip in the nearby lake to cool off.
Duane Holmes joined me soon after the evening meal to take over social media for thirty minutes, answering questions on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram sent in by supporters.
.@DuaneHolmes takes over social media! - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/duane-holmes-takes-over-social-media-3177913.aspx … 🇦🇹
— Scunthorpe United FC (@SUFCOfficial)July 10, 2016
9PM saw all players and staff meet in the seminar room to watch the final of EURO 2016, but with the game forced into extra time, many called it a night following the final whistle after 90 minutes.
SUNDAY, JULY 10 - IN BRIEF
6:15AM - Alarm abruptly cuts short a five-and-a-half hour sleep.
6:45AM - All players and staff run (or bike) 2.1 miles around the lake.
10:30AM - The Iron players commence their first training session in Obertraun on pitch 3.
16:30PM - The second session commences after lunch and recovery time following the first session.
20:00PM - Duane Holmes takes over social media, answering the fans questions.
21:00PM - The whole squad congregates in the seminar room to watch France v Portugal; the final of EURO 2016.
22:18PM - The deadlock is finally broken in EURO 2016, with substitute Eder netting.