Goaltender Viona Harrer has revealed that the German ice hockey team's pre-training routine frequently involves football.

Germany's women surprised passersby when they were seen playing a two-touch passing game outside of the Shayba Arena in Sochi on Monday afternoon, but Harrer claims that this is not unusual for her side.

"It's fun," Harrer told reporters. "For 10 minutes, we'll play two-touch. It's a good way to get loose."

Harrer's Germany began their Winter Olympic campaign on Sunday with a 4-1 defeat to hosts Russia.