Created on 23-05-2012 at 00:00 AM
The much-anticipated FC Bayern Youth Cup at the Allianz Arena in Munich kicks off at 9.45 am on Thursday, 24 May 2012. The tournament features teams from China and India, the two most populous nations on the planet, plus sides from Austria and Italy in Europe, and a team from Munich.
The players aged from 14 to 16 years old were invited to the final at the stadium to the north of the city by FC Bayern sponsors adidas, Audi, Lufthansa, Trentino, UniCredit and Yingli Solar. In one sense, the teams bear a certain resemblance to their home nations’ junior international sides, as they have battled through a series of tournaments against thousands of rival hopefuls.
Just 50 players made the final cut, all of them scouted by Paul Breitner and a team of FCB youth coaches. World Cup winner and roving FCB ambassador Breitner is expecting exceptional quality in the tournament on reduced size playing areas. “I wouldn't be surprised if one or two of these talents soon appeared in an FC Bayern youth team, or even won a place in our residential youth academy," the former FCB captain said.
Acting board member Andreas Jung regards the FC Bayern Youth Cup as a perfect platform for the club's partners and sponsors. “With our joint commitment, we can positively influence processes in society. By sharing our passion for football, we want to bring joy and hope to the kids, especially in socially deprived regions," Jung commented.
The youths have been preparing for their big day on the elite stage since Monday. The group trained under FC Bayern youth coaches at the Säbener Strasse and attended Tuesday night’s game against the Netherlands at the Arena.