DW-World.de
Deutsche Welle

South Korea are marching towards the knock-out stages of the World Cup on their stomachs. Their secret weapon in their quest to win is chef Jung Ji-Choon, who has been whipping up traditional Korean dishes on request at the team's luxurious lodgings here.

Even healthy, toned South Korean soccer players can be fussy eaters and Jung's job is to keep them happy with staples like kimchi (fermented cabbage) and pap (boiled rice). While the team dieticians have outlawed some of the more savory Korean dishes, the players are content with the menu.

"We have our own chef and can eat Korean food," said winger Seol Ki-Hyeon, who plays for Wolverhampton in England. "But we also eat Western food, we can choose." The Western food is gourmet standard, with hotel chef Joachim Wissler having three stars in the prestigious Michelin Guide.

Seol said that the imposing Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg, a converted castle built on a hill overlooking Cologne, was the perfect base camp for South Korea. "It has been great being based here," said Seol. "The players are living in suites and we can relax in the grounds or the spa."

South Korea, World Cup semi-finalists on home turf four years ago, have to beat Switzerland in their final Group G match in Hanover on Friday to ensure a spot in the second round.