Behind the scenes: How kit manager Frank Gräfen is planning for the Club World Cup | OneFootball

The preparations went into full swing at the start of this week: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were the big packing days at the training ground in Dortmund-Brackel. To ensure that all the players and staff members are equipped for training and matches over a period of several weeks, kit manager Frank Gräfen and a colleague folded clothes, packed them into boxes and loaded them into a lorry bound for the airport, where the contents will be transferred to the airplane that will transport the squad to the United States on Friday.

But Gräfen already started planning for the tournament as the last Bundesliga season was drawing to a close several weeks ago. He spoke to the kit suppliers to make sure that all the players would have sufficient footwear, calculated how many sets of shirts would be needed and procured a printing machine so that blank shirts could be printed on site. More than 40 metal crates, plus many more bags and boxes, have now been packed. They also contain massage benches, around 200 football boots and running shoes, and several sets of shirts – plus shorts and socks – so that the players can line up in different combinations of black and yellow depending on the opposition kit. Club World Cup balls will be provided on site, but Gräfen has put 20 spare balls from Dortmund in with the luggage to be on the safe side. “We have to pack everything for four weeks. When we travel this far, nothing can be missing,” explained Gräfen, adding: “You can't just pick up the phone and say: “I need this and that”. That's why there's a lot of luggage.” The equipment manager continued: “We'll end up at around two tonnes for the whole lot.”

Once the team is on site, the first thing that will be done is to unpack the bags marked with red tape. They contain the clothing that will be worn for the first session straight after their arrival. Gräfen will then unpack the rest of his equipment at the hotel: “I like to have it organised. I normally pack everything for training in one room. If it's for a match, it goes in another. It then only has to be loaded from one place to another.” Even though the Club World Cup is something new for the long-term kit manager, Gräfen's experience kicks in when it comes to matches. “I then take my boxes for the game with me, just like in Germany.” The only difference is that the destinations will not be Munich or London, but rather East Rutherford and Cincinnati. And perhaps more will be added to the list in the knockout stages. Whatever happens, Borussia Dortmund's players will not be short on supplies.