FC Bayern had some special guests in August 2024: the talented under-15 team from China came to Germany to demonstrate their football skills. The ‘Project Young Phoenix’ - launched by Adidas in cooperation with FC Bayern - aims to promote and strengthen women's football in China.
The 22 girls' journey began with a selection process in January 2024, when a tryout camp was held in China to identify the best players. Before they set off for Munich on 10 August, they already had the chance to meet Bavaria Minister-President Markus Söder during his trip to China in March. After a training camp in Beijing, the team then travelled to Germany to take part in a three-week football and cultural exchange at Säbener Straße and the Adidas Homeground in Herzogenaurach.
The team spent the first five days of their stay in Herzogenaurach, where they were welcomed by the CEO of Adidas, Björn Gulden. In addition to training sessions in the Adi Dassler Stadium, the girls were also given guided tours of the Adidas campus.
The group travelled on to Munich, where further training sessions took place at Säbener Straße, the home of FC Bayern. The training was led by Alexander Haberstock, a coach at FCB, who worked closely with his Chinese counterparts to give the young talents the best tools for a successful future.
In addition to the football training, the players and coaches were given the unique opportunity to take part in talks and workshops as well as attending some top youth matches, including the U19 derby between Bayern and 1860 Munich.
The girls played three friendlies during their trip to Munich - and won all three emphatically:
- Adidas Young Phoenix 8-0 FC Forstern
- Adidas Young Phoenix 5-0 FFC Wacker München
- Adidas Young Phoenix 3-1 FC Bayern U15
The last match against the Bayern U15s was undoubtedly the highlight of the trip and a fitting ending to the training camp. Like the first two games, it was held at Säbener Straße and demonstrated the huge quality and potential of the Chinese youth players.
With the successful tour in Munich, the ‘Project Young Phoenix’ has sent a strong signal for the future of women's football in China. FC Bayern looks forward to continuing to support youth football worldwide with projects like this.
FC Bayern also had a visit from America recently: the 'Mia San Nashville' fan club's visit to Munich has become a wonderful tradition by now:
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