Bad Cannstatt is set to have a distinctly international flair on Tuesday and Wednesday as the VfB youth academy stages the VfB International Cup for the first time. Three U15 teams from three different continents are travelling to Stuttgart to take part in the short tournament, which will feature partner clubs Sao Paulo FC (Brazil) and Sudeva Delhi FC (India) as well as MLS outfit Orlando City Soccer Club (USA).
The tournament underlines the VfB youth academy’s determination to provide its talented youngsters with valuable experience against high-calibre opposition in international competitions, as well as the chance to establish intercultural connections off the pitch. All four participating clubs will also get to compete in the renowned mtu-Cup in Friedrichshafen this weekend.
The International Cup gets under way with the two semi-finals on Tuesday, with Orlando City taking on Sudeva Delhi at 15:00 CET before VfB face Sao Paulo on Pitch 1 (free entry) three hours later. On Wednesday, the final on Pitch 1 (free entry) and the third-place play-off will both kick off at 18:00 CET. Away from the pitch, the youngsters will have the opportunity to take part in other activities, such as a tour of the MHP Arena or the Mercedes-Benz Museum, allowing them to make friends with their counterparts from oversees. Coaches and officials from the participating clubs will also get to take part in a joint workshop, where they will have the chance to chat, exchange ideas and network with one another.
“This international tournament at VfB headquarters is a great opportunity to compete with teams from different footballing cultures and gain valuable experience at the highest level of youth football,” said Daniel Teufel, the VfB youth academy’s head of sport. “Our players will not only be able to demonstrate their technical, tactical and athletic skills, but also gain fresh impetus for their personal and sporting development.”
