Germany’s Toni Kroos during the press conference. Photo: Reuters

VATUTINKI: Four years ago, the Germany team resided in a purpose-built five-star hotel on a tiny, picturesque island off the Brazilian mainland, with the spectacular lush jungle and sea views inspiring them to the World Cup title.

This time round, the defending champions have replaced their tropical paradise with a red-brick hotel block in the village of Vatutinki, along a drab strip of motorway that leads out of Moscow, surrounded by dozens of huge tower blocks.

Coach Joachim Loew said on Tuesday that the Vatutinki hotel complex at the edge of the village possessed “the charm of a better sports school”, rather than that of a top hotel for the tournament favourites.

Pictures of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a predecessor Boris Yeltsin adorn the walls of the large structure, whose architecture somehow marries Russia’s Soviet past with a fairytale castle.

Yet for Loew and his players, downscaling in terms of luxury for the World Cup is no problem and will not be used as an excuse.

“Sports school, yes ok but we are here to do sport,” midfielder Toni Kroos told reporters on Thursday.

“I think it’s ok. We can spend our time here with two, three activities that we can do. It is absolutely ok and the desire for vacation afterwards becomes even stronger,” he said, prompting laughter from team mate Jerome Boateng.

Assistant coach Thomas Schneider had no water in his room on the team’s arrival this week, said Kroos, adding that some things still needed to be ironed out.

“It is normal when you arrive that everything is new. Some things won’t work that well. Thomas Schneider had no water but I had,” he said.

“But the basic structure is good. There is nothing to complain about and we will not use it as an excuse.”

For Boateng the trips away from the hotel for group matches will be a welcome break.

“We are here to play football and hopefully for a longer period of time,” the central defender told reporters. “We also have some trips so that’s good.”

Germany kick off their title defence on Sunday with their Group F opener against Mexico. They also play Sweden and South Korea.

• Vijay, Rahul push India to 248 for one
• Ahmadzai dismissed Dhawan for Afghanistan’s first test wicket
• Dhawan scored seventh test hundred to hand India advantage

India’s Shikhar Dhawan hits a boundary. Photo: Reuters

BENGALURU: Murali Vijay closed in on his 12th hundred as India reached 248 for one before rain forced an early tea on the opening afternoon against test newcomers Afghanistan on Thursday.

Vijay, unbeaten on 94, built a solid 80-run partnership with KL Rahul after centurion Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed just after lunch at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Seamer Yamin Ahmadzai claimed Afghanistan’s first wicket in test cricket when left-handed Dhawan edged a probing delivery outside off stump to Rahmat Shah, who parried it towards the safe hands of Mohammed Nabi at first slip.

The 32-year-old Dhawan smashed a blistering 107 off just 96 deliveries, studded with 19 fours and three sixes, and became the first Indian to score a hundred before lunch on the opening day of a test.

After Dhawan’s departure, Vijay took charge of the innings by punishing Afghanistan’s three-pronged spin attack of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nabi on both sides of the wicket.

Rahul, sent in ahead of Cheteshwar Pujara at number three, offered great support from the other end and was not out at 33.

Dhawan and Vijay dominated the opening session after stand-in Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and chose to bat in overcast conditions.

Afghanistan quicks Wafadar and Ahmadzai, who have played a combined 25 first-class games in their career, struggled to make full use of seamer-friendly conditions as the Indian openers cashed in with boundaries at regular intervals.

Led by Asghar Stanikzai, Afghanistan became the 12th test playing nation after being awarded the full member status alongside Ireland in June last year.

Rahane is leading the Indian side in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli, who is recovering from a neck injury.