Germans can’t do without rice pudding!

German team cook Holger Stromberg says he has to battle a few dietary superstitions as he looks to do his bit to turn Die Mannschaft into a lean winning machine.

German team cook Holger Stromberg says he has to battle a few dietary superstitions as he looks to do his bit to turn Die Mannschaft into a lean winning machine.

Some swear by traditional schnitzel or escalope, some like sweets, others swear by rice pudding.

"Schnitzel — that would be like a reward — so only after the final," joked Stromberg, while accepting that a little variety does no harm as "players are energy machines and burn off calories quickly." He even added that two players had a soft spot for chewy bear-shaped candies or Gummibaerchen!