So while the Spanish teams went back to work in early January, the Bundesliga players were just rousing from a long Christmas break to head to a restorative in-season training camp, away from the distractions of home and domestic competition.
Comedian Les Dennis enjoyed abreak at Haven's Hafan y Mor site - the former Butlin's holiday camp at Pwllheli - where he spent many of his childhood holidays and won a talent competition at the age of 14.