U23 participates at tournament in China

As part of FC Schalke 04’s long-term expansion strategy, China is one of the most important target markets. The first team has traveled to the Far East over the past three years in order to consolidate the name FC Schalke 04 among its members, to deepen its partnerships and to connect people for the S04. The Knappenschmiede already went to China this year as well. In October, the under-12 team took part in the Kunshan Cup for the second time, to have a direct exchange and some personal meetings with the teams and leaders of the Chinese partners.

From Wednesday to Sunday (December 11-15), the blue and white under-23 team will be attending the „2019 Belt and Road Colorful Yunnan International Football Tournament“ in Kunming, the capital of China’s southern province of Yunnan, to meet international rivals. These include China’s under-20 national team as well as the second teams of Spartak Moscow and Red Star Belgrade. At the end of the trip, the team, headed by U23 manager Gerald Asamoah and chief coach Torsten Fröhling, will visit Shanghai before they´ll return to Germany.

„With the participation in the tournament, we are sending another signal that China is an important market for us,“ says Peter Knäbel, Senior Director of the Knappenschmiede and Developement. „We want to show our partners in China that we like to engage with them on a regular basis.“ The tournament is also considered a „showcase“ for the transition sector, which the club regularly discuss with its Chinese friends. „Of course, the trip is also to be understood as an appreciation of our U23, that were able to promote to the Regionalliga West last season and showed a steady first round this season,“ added Knäbel.

Head coach Torsten Fröhling is also looking forward to this highlight shortly, before the winter break: „We are delighted that we have the opportunity to fly to China. The first leg of the season comes to an end early and we would have continued to train until the winter break anyway.“ The tournament is a welcome distraction for the team with strong international rivals in a new environment.“ The journey will bring the team closer together, and players can gain valuable experience above all else. Not only in the sporting sense, but also for the personal enlargement of their horizons, this journey is significant,“ said Fröhling.