Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - Boston, MA

GFC Gu12u13s Return from Germany. Seven players from the Grasshopper Football Club rising gu12 and rising gu13 teams returned today from Germany. The girls, Emma, Lea, Nina, Antonia, Brienne, Jamie and Maddie participated in a 10 day/8 night soccer tour organized by GFC Director, Tom Mitch. The group included the seven players as well as GFC trainers Tom Mitch and Michael Eidmann, and a group of parent supporters. Based in Oberbayern (Upper Bavarian), the group spent time in Munich and the surrounding area, including several days in the picturesque town of Erding.

The players participated in training, three 7-aside friendly matches, and a 4-aside mini-soccer tournament. Training took place at state-of-the-art training complex of the Bavarian Football Association in Oberhaching. The players enjoyed the soccer culture with use of the fantastic facilities as well as lunch at the training center afterwards.

GFC players enjoyed the 7-aside matches, putting on a good display of quality, patient, intelligent soccer, and fairing well with a 1-1-1 record. Several of German youth coaches commented on the quality of the GFC girls' play, including their organization and discipline, and even enquired about GFC training methods. Their first match, with TSV Neubiberg-Ottobrun, ended 1-1. The teams then took part in a penalty-kick contest, which the GFC girls won. The second match, against TSV Solln, ended 5-1 for GFC. The final match, with JFG Sempt-Erding, was part of an entire day of matches dedicated to girl's soccer with area teams of all ages playing exhibition matches throughout the day. The match, which was very competitive with the momentum shifting several times, ended 3-4 for the Erding team.

A great soccer experience was highlighted by the incredible hospitality of the host clubs, which always included use of changing facilities, access to high quality natural grass playing surfaces, fairly played matches, and post-match social activities for players and supporters in the clubhouse. Our hosts in Erding even organized a final day of soccer where the GFC and the Erding players combined to form mixed teams and compete in a 4-aside mini-soccer tournament.

Throughout the trip, the group took advantage of a variety of sights and attractions in Munich, Erding and further a field. On day 1 in Munich, the group attended a public training session of world-famous FC Bayern Munich at the impressive Allianz Arena. Also while in Munich, the group enjoyed a bus tour of the city, and a bike tour along the Isar river and throughout the expansive English garden. While in Erding, the group enjoyed a more relaxing time, taking in the small town charm, shopping, etc. The group attended the Sinnflut festival in Erding with many vendors, live music, and traditional foods to enjoy. With the warm, sunny days, the group particularly enjoyed the Erding Therme which boasts Europe's largest water park in addition to leisure pools and spas, as well as a day at a local lake. Finally, the group made a day trip to King Ludwig II's famous Neuschwanstein castle in lower Bavaria and enjoyed views of the Alps.

FC Bayern München

Training at Sportschule Oberhaching

TSV Neubiberg-Ottobrun - GFC

TSV Solln - GFC

Trainer's Match in Erding

JFG Sempt-Erding - GFC

Erding/GFC Mini-Soccer Tournament

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